Pentecost

Today is recognized in the christian church around the world as the Day of Pentecost. It is celebrated seven weeks after Easter, or the fiftieth day, hence the name "pentecost," which is also ten days after the Ascension,

The biblical account of the first Pentecost is found in Acts 2:1-13. I will quote only the first four verses here: "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

What an amazing experience this must have been for these people! This followed an extended time of prayer (Acts 1:14) and the prayer-directed selection of Matthias to fill the vacancy in the twelve left by Judas' death. The coming of the Holy Spirit was a direct fulfillment of the promise of Jesus before He left in His ascension to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:8,9).

The power Jesus had spoken of gave the 120 disciples the ability to speak in different languages making their conversation understandable to all present, people from many different places who spoke many different languages. Later this power enabled the disciples to heal many who were sick with various kinds of diseases. And still later this power gave the disciples the ability to reach out to other non-Jews with the gospel of Christ's Kingdom.

Was this power for the people of the first century only? Is not the Holy Spirit given by the Ascended Christ to all who commit their lives to Him? It appears to me that one of the reasons we need to ask these questions is that we fail to see many manifestations of the power that accompanies the presence of the Holy Spirit in peoples' lives. Often it seems we are satisfied with the first manifestation, speaking in unfamiliar tongues. Perhaps if we want to see more manifestations of the presence of the Holy Spirit we need to travel to other parts of the world where they seem to be more evident.

This blog post is not to condemn or praise anyone or any group of persons. But I am often left to wonder why the last statement above seems to be true. I have personally experienced times of a special anointing, or whatever one may call it, but surely it was not enough. My prayer is that all who are committed to "follow Christ in life" would experience the "fullness of the Holy Spirit" in a way that would truly shake our world as it did when those 120 believers experienced the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. May God help us!

Pilgrim on the way

Watch this!

Who said "old" was bad? If you're old, getting old, or just getting older, you might want to watch the video that comes with this link. Even if you don't care for this kind of music you'll still get a laugh out of this one. These people have been married for 62 years and he'll soon be 90. It was done at Mayo Clinic, and got lots of attention there. Enjoy.

That's all for this time. I'll have more this weekend, I hope. Till then I remain

Pilgrim on the way

Scams

This post is hot off the "press." We just had a visit from our neighbor across the street telling us that she has been the victim of a scam artist this week. This person obviously had found information about her by reading the obituary of her husband who had died a few weeks ago.

Our neighbor is 85 years old and is quite active. She walks for exercise every day she can, goes to her church in Newton regularly, and attends other activities here in the community. She is not out of touch with the world and was quite aware of the scams that have been done to other older persons. And still she fell victim to one herself.

Fortunately she was able to get back the $1000 she had attempted to send this caller, who had identified himself as her grandson. She sent the money via Western Union, but found out after sending it that is was a scam and in checking found out the money had not been picked up by the caller, making it possible for her to stop payment and eventually to get all her money back.

We who are older seem to be targets of so many kinds of scams. We have had some done in person by unknown individuals here at the Villa. It seems also that persons who have lost a loved one triggering a public obituary are especially targeted. While most folks, including me, say they would never fall into a trap by a scam artist, we all need to be aware of just how tricky and beguiling these people can be. And for many older folks, it is hard to think fast enough to know what to say or ask while speaking to these people, whether by phone or in person at the door.

What we're glad for is that our neighbor was smart enough to call her grandson and find out the truth. In looking back she sees all of the clues she had along the way that raised questions in her mind about the veracity of what the caller told her, but which she basically ignored when she made the decision to do what she was asked to do . We encouraged her to think mostly about the good things she did which made it possible for her to get her money back.

We thanked her for telling us her story, which she wants to tell the other neighbors around here as well. Schowalter Villa administrators will be informed, and they in turn will no doubt publicize this information to all residents here. Hopefully our neighbor's story will help us all be more diligent if we are confronted with something of this nature.

Pilgrim on the way

For The Retired

As part of my morning quiet time I have been using a good little book with daily, practical comments on the Psalms. I have enjoyed using this a lot in the last number of weeks and would like to share one of these with you. If you aren't retired, or a senior, you should still enjoy this one.

The book is For the Retired by Leslie F. Brandt, published by Augsburg Publishing House, 426 S. Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN. Copyright 1984. The meditation I share with you is entitled, Hallelujah, page 76, and the comments are based on Psalm 92:14.

I begin first of all by quoting Psalm 92:12-14 for the context: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.'"

"This is a psalm that should make our day. It may not be particularly flattering to be considered 'fresh and green,' but it signifies life and energy and fruitfulness, despite wrinkles and aching joints and old-fashioned ideas. We really can celebrate our postretirement vocation. We will not shake up the world or make headlines, but we can 'still bear fruit in old age.'

"It is this, after all, that counts with God--probably far more than some of your young and middle-age achievements that are now memories. Having matured and mellowed through our many years, we can exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, which, according to the apostle Paul, is 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control' (Gal.5:22).

"This will give purpose to our years. Our real vocation, by God's choice and commission, is being God's servants to others. Even as we busy our hands with lawns and gardens, or some other artistic enterprise or hobby, we can 'bring forth fruit in old age."
Prayer: "O Lord, may I never forget that your call to salvation is also a call to servanthood. Amen."

Hallelujah!

Pilgrim on the way

ASCENSION DAY!!

How many of you readers know that today is Ascension Day? Our pastor asked that question this past Sunday in our church, and for people who knew to raise their hands. Of course mine went up right away, but only a couple of other people knew that Ascension Day was today.

This is a day to celebrate because for Jesus it was His coronation day. The Amish people are ahead of most of the rest of us as they designate this day as a holiday - no work, all shops closed.

In my theology Ascension Day is as important as Christmas or Easter. This day is observed forty days after Jesus' resurrection. This is based on Acts 1:1-3: "In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."

The account of Jesus ascension is found in Acts 1:9-11: "After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

What an experience that must have been for these men! Wow! Can you imagine that? Wouldn't you have stood looking too? Not only must Jesus' ascension have been a sight to behold, but then two "men dressed in white" standing there, coming from where? And speaking to them as well! And where did they go then? I find it intriguing to try and put myself in that situation.

But what does this mean to us, and why is this an important day to remember? Once again the scripture has the answer to that for me. The following is an important scripture as it gives us an insight into this event. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way" (Ephesians 1:18-23).

Perhaps our the eyes of our hearts need enlightening? Our hope, our inheritance is wrapped up in Jesus' ascension and His place of power at God's right hand. Perhaps we need some of that resurrection/ascension power? Do we understand the authority Jesus has at God's right hand? That authority is "above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given." And furthermore Jesus' rule extends to "his body, the church," with "all things being placed under his feet."

From the right hand of God, Jesus also has sent His Holy Spirit to live in the lives of His followers. "Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear" (Acts 1:13). In addition we are told that Jesus is at God's right hand to intercede for us. "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us" (Romans 8:34).

All of this should be enough to make us want to celebrate! We are blest in so many ways! So we have some ballons in the front of our house. We want to make this day a day of celebration in whatever way we can. Of course I need to go to a doctor in Wichita, but as I said in another post, I'm glad for doctors who can help with our health care.

May all who read this have a very happy and blessed day. May those who are followers of Jesus receive a special blessing as you think again of what the Lord has done for us. If you do not know Jesus in a very personal way, perhaps you might want to consider that for your life.

I remain

Pilgrim on the way

Doctors

Doctors - what would we do without them. Its quite possible that were it not for doctors I would no longer be here. I'm glad for medical people who know how to care for us when we need help to remain healthy, and alive.

We are in our fifth year here in Hesston and I have been to many physicians in that short span of time. When I sat down and wrote down the names of the doctors we have seen here I came up with quite a list. These people have all been instrumental in some degree to Clara and I maintaining our physical health. Below is a list of these people and I think I have them all.

Family Practice: We are fortunate to have a fine medical clinic here in Hesston with a very good staff. We began with Dr. Whitley, but after one year or so he moved to another location. We now see Dr. Joseph Aiyenowo, an internist, whom we really like. He is very thorough and persistent in seeking for a diagnosis and treatment. At first we had a bit of difficulty in understanding him with his pronounced African accent, but we do quite well at that now.

Heart: In 2005 I found myself on the way to the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita in an ambulance with severe pain, identified in the Newton Medical Center as heart related. Several days later triple bypass surgery was done there successfully by Dr. Phillip Bongiorno. Dr. Michael Lloyd became my cardiologist at that time. I'm very glad for these people who were able to do this very technical medical procedure.

Surgery: 2005 was a memorable year for me medically as I needed to have gall bladder surgery in December following the heart surgery in September. Actually the gall bladder was diagnosed as being in need of removal at the heart hospital. Dr. Stephen Cranston performed the gall bladder surgery at Newton Medical Center.

Neurology: I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy while we still lived in Illinois, but found this malady to be an increasing problem for me, particularly in my feet. Muscle weakness in my legs began to be a problem when walking or being on my feet for longer periods of time. I was sent to Dr. Sarab Alsoudi, a neurologist at Newton Medical Center. Dr. Alsoudi has given me the unpleasant nerve tests about three times now, always confirming the neuropathy diagnosis, but nothing more at this point.
In April of this year I was sent to see Dr. DiLawer Abbas, a neuro-muscular physican at the Muscular Distrophy Clinic in Wichita for diagnosis. After he had performed a lot of tests Dr. Abbas ordered a muscle biopsy. That out patient surgery was done by Dr. James French in St. Joseph's Hospital in Wichita. The specimen was sent to Mayo Clinic for analysis. I received a call from a nurse with the report of "no diagnostic abnormality." I'm to see Dr. Abbas again for his personal review and possible further testing on June 9.

Endocrinology: As a part of the ongoing testing for some sort of diagnosis of the increasing muscle weakness in my legs, and now also in my arms, I was sent to the Wichita Clinic to see the endocrinologist, Dr. Jan Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman is a nice man who is quite easy to visit with and who leaves me with the impression that he knows what to do with my symptoms. He is now treating me for thyroid and adrenal gland hormone deficiency.

Did I get them all? Oh well, of course there were emergency room doctors, many nurses and other medical people, but the above are the main ones. I could also mention a couple of chiropractors and a physical therapist who have all had a part in the "doctoring" process. A very important part of my "therapy" during this time has been my reliance upon the Great Physician Who remains my constant companion and daily Guide. And through many wondrful CD's I continue to be uplifted daily by the music I enjoy. I even have a CD player in my shop so that I can listen to music while I work. All of these people and things help me remain

Pilgrim on the way

Sovilla

Sovilla was my mother-in-law. To Clara and I she was always "Mom." To our children she was "Granny Mast." Mom was born in 1908 and she died Jan. 1, 2004.

Sovilla was a pretty amazing woman. Mom gave birth to nine babies, seven of which lived to adulthood. These children grew up in a house that had what I would call 2 1/2 bedrooms upstairs and one down. The children were all given work assignments and all contributed in some way to the needs of the household. Supervising and disciplining took a pretty capable woman, wouldn't you say? Of course Pop was there to assist when he needed to.

As with most older folks, Mom forgot some things in her later years. But there were some things she didn't forget until the final weeks of her life. For one thing, in her youth she had learned Bible verses that began with the first letter of the alphabet. She spent the last year of her life in a nursing home, and still in that year she could repeat most of the verses in order, sometimes without any prompting. At one point she would say the verses while waiting for a meal in the dining room. Someone accused her of "preaching."

Another thing she learned in grammar school (she quit school during grade 6) was the poem above with the picture of a primrose. We used to like to hear her repeat this short poem without batting an eye. The primrose poem sort of became "her thing," to the point that after she died we had the above card printed which we placed on her casket. We asked the funeral director for primroses for her casket, but they were not available, so we used yellow roses instead.

Today we have a very nice yellow primrose next to our patio in back. This plant is flourishing very nicely this spring with many beautiful flowers. It not only reminds us of Mom and her poem, but of the beautiful person she was. And of course it adds to the beauty of our patio, along with the other beautiful flowers we have there.

I'm reminded as I finish this of a song we have on one of our CD's written and sung by Jim Croggert, entitled, "Why do I hunger for beauty?" Beautiful flowers certainly add to our life's enjoyment here where we live.

Pilgrim on the way

Patriot's Bible?

Would someone please check in on Greg Boyd's link I have in my left hand margin about the Patriot's Bible. I never heard of such a thing. Is Boyd correct in his analysis? What are your comments?

I did a post yesterday about going to church. Here's a picture of an Amish church wagon in Big Valley, PA. If I had to sit on backless benches for two hours on Sunday I'm not so sure I would be that anxious to go to church, even though the opportunity only comes every two weeks. But this picture is a beautiful scene at any rate.

I appreciated reading my nieces blog post this morning. Take the time to check out "Mundane Midwestern Musings" and see if you know this one. I'll go back there and sing it all the way through. Can you?

Pilgrim on the way

"Its Friday But Sunday's comin'"

It is said that some southern preacher somewhere once had a sermon by the title "Its Friday But Sunday's Comin'." This phrase was repeated over and over as he made his points. In my recollection of hearing that story the concept was that we may be experiencing troubled times but just endure for we'll soon find rest. I think the concept also was that Sunday is a day to be looked forward to and anticipated with hope and assurance of good times to come.

Sunday for me has always been a day to look forward to. Beginning with my childhood and continuing on to the present day I have always gone to church on Sunday. Of course I would suppose that there were times, particularly in my youth, that I didn't care to go to church too much, but did just because that's what we did. And of course during my ministry years that's when I had a major responsibility to fulfill. As I recall I only missed a couple of Sundays for illness in about 40 years of ministry.

Our church experience here in Hesston has been different from anywhere else we have gone. We knew only a few people out of the 400+ who attend. And I was just another retired minister among many others who sat in the pews every Sunday. Nothing was expected of me, and probably only a couple of people would know if we were there or not.

Church for me may not be like it used to be, but I still like to go to church on Sunday. I have missed services more in the last couple of years than I think I did in the first 75 years of my life. There's not much to be seen on TV when one is at home on Sunday morning. I watch one church service while they do music, etc., but do not enjoy the messages most of the time. I watch another church service that is quite good most of the time, and the messages are usually uplifting and helpful. But none of that is like going to church and being with the church family. I know a lot of the people now and am able to converse with many more than earlier. I enjoy the sermons and have long since learned to listen for God's message to me rather than criticing them. And we have good music and worship times.

I'm anticipating our services at church tomorrow. I know that we will be worshipping around the theme of Ascension Day. I have looked at a bulletin and see songs and a sermon title around that theme. I'm anticipating that. I think we do ourselves a great injustice in not making more of Ascension Day. For me that was the great coronation day for Jesus when He ascended to the right hand of the Father and began the process of putting all His enemies under His feet, as it says in Ephesians.

So today its Saturday, but Sundays comin'. Until then I remain

Pilgrim on the way

Getting Restarted

I just looked at the calendar and noted that it has been five weeks since I did my last post on this blog. I apologize for that. But in reality its just a fact that I either didn't feel like doing a post or I simply didn't know what to write about. I know that some of you who blog have been quite active and I like that because it gives me something to read. I have a number of blog sites that I turn to on a regular basis. In addition I have joined the facebook crowd. That is mostly just to read about some of my grandkids I guess. I did discover some friends from the past, some who had been members of a church I pastored in Ohio. Most of the time I find that many of the conversations are about things and people I don't know or have an interest in, but it has been fun anyway.

I'm still busy making wood pens and pencils. I have accumulated quite a few by now even after selling some and giving some away. I just started on an order for five pen/pencil sets which will go to our King grandchildren. A friend recently gave me some very nice wood - a small piece of purple heart (amaranth) and a bigger piece of unidentified wood. I think the latter is pink ivory, but am not 100% sure of that. Outside of the regular woods I use - osage orange, lyptus, padauk, walnut, and maple. I have also used poplar, mahogany, and curly cherry. I can order wood blanks for pens/pencils made from about 25 other kinds of woods, many from other parts of the world. I truly like this hobby and find it quite enjoyable. I am quite limited, however, in finding an outlet for them. Perhaps someone out there might have some suggestions for me.

Wow, was that ever a lightning/thunder display we had here this afternoon. I'm thinking it was the strongest one we have had here in Hesston since we've lived in Kansas. Actually, I was enjoying the powerful display of window rattling thunder and the startling strikes of lightning. I hope no one was injured during the fracus.

Hey now, there's a couple for you! We had our pictures taken for our church directory recently, and this is one of the results. Of course I'm sure you noticed a change in my profile picture. The problem with these photos is that when I scanned them for the computer it squashed them a bit making us look fatter than we really are. I particularly look fat enough in real life, but these pics, as they say, don't do us justice. At least from that point of view. Oh well, they are just pictures I guess. One of our kids said that we were cute. I'm not sure that's the right adjective to describe us, but for lack of a better one I'll take it.

Well, I think that will do it for my restart. I'll try to do better in the days to come. I'll need to post here when I'm feeling a bit better, as I am today, so I'm hoping there will be more days when that happens. Until next time I remain

Pilgrim on the way