Keep it going.

It seems like everyone is posting on Facebook that we need to pray for those suffering from Hurricane Harvey in Texas. No argument there. Anyone who's been through a hurricane, let alone 2 and one half hurricanes in three weeks like we did in 2004 appreciates the prayers being lifted on their behalf. It's the only thing that enables you to come out on the other side with any kind of sanity.

For those of you who've never experienced a hurricane, the aftermath can be as bad or worse. Insurance companies are more concerned about the bottom line than the people who pay into that bottom line. Contractors and repairmen descend on the area like locusts and many do not have the work ethic that's needed to restore the damage, let alone improve anything.  In 2004, China was building the Three Gorges Dam and concrete was hard to come by everywhere else.

I wrote to my Congressman and one Florida Senator at the time, asking for pressure on insurance companies who refused to understand that insurance is a pre-paid service. The response I got from both was, "It's not a national issue." A year later, those same men were more than willing to assist the people suffering from Katrina. The cobbler's children go barefoot and the baker's children go hungry, I guess.


For those encouraging everyone to pray, I say a hearty AMEN! I wasn't on Facebook when Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne hit Sebastian between September 4, 2004, and September 25 of the same year. I don't know if the same call for prayer was going on or not. I hope so. Sometimes, it felt like we were fighting the battle all by ourselves, especially after the Congressman and Senator refused any assistance in dealing with corrupt insurance companies.

It's often been said prayer is hard work. I cringe when I hear those words, but it's true. Most of the time, I feel like I'm chanting like the heathen do rather than pouring my heart out to Almighty God.

Does anyone else feel that way? Is that why the churches were full after 9/ll and Congress sang "God Bless America" on the Capitol steps, only to forget all about prayer and the Lord within a very few days? How long did it take for church attendance to return to what it was? How long before Congress was back at partisan bickering over politics? I say again, I heartily concur for those calling for prayer for the suffering in Texas. 

There are other forms of prayer and I wonder how often we express those. How often do we (I) worship Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe? Are my prayers filled with asking God to bless
rather than thanking Him for the way He has blessed? Do I whine because He hasn't done things the way I expected Him to, forgetting His thoughts and ways are not the same as mine? His thoughts and ways are far superior, but am I willing to admit that? Is my attitude petulant when He needs to chastise me for sin? Do I ignore Him when He reminds me that sin is there like Cain did after murdering his brother?

I learned a long time ago that good works is not the way to heaven, but do I still try to manipulate God with good works, rather than coming to Him in adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication like He longs for me to do? Am I wholehearted in my devotion to Him, or am I paying lip service, like many of us have done by praying during emergencies and then ignoring Him during the good times? Do my prayer times say I love the Lord and enjoy Him, as the Creed calls for me to do, or am I dutifully putting in time so I won't feel guilty?

II Chronicles 7:14 says, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, Then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin, and heal their land."

The way things are going in America right now, it's pretty obvious Texas isn't the only place that needs prayer.  Keep it going.

Attitude of gratitude

Exciting times these days. Our son called last night to relieve our anxieties about the tornado-category 2- that ripped up a few stores less than a mile away from where he and his family live. August tornadoes are rare and while there were no deaths, there were damages and injuries, but our son's family was untouched. No need to explain an attitude of gratitude there.

About 10 days ago, I broke my foot and had to stop the morning walks I was enjoying so much. It wasn't easy to be grateful because I've not been exercising for quite a while and finally got around to it again. Three weeks later, it all came to a halt. But, I am grateful. I am reminded again that God loves me and does what's best for me, He's not interested in how much I exercise. He wants to know if I trust Him to do what's best for me.

I have to admit, I wasn't too grateful this morning when I had to walk during shopping. The handicap carts have different instructions for all of them and I couldn't figure them out! A manager asked if he could help me with anything else after he told me where to find the walnuts.  I told him about the carts and he said he'd have to look into it. He understood my frustration, but I smarted off by telling him to tell that to my doctor-and my aching foot and leg! I had to go back and apologize for my bad attitude. Yes, I was frustrated and hurting, but that does not excuse me. As a Christian, I am to be Christ-like and my attitude wasn't.



While I was in the office at home, there was a loud thump, sounding like something hit the house. Concerned that Bob may have fallen, I went to check on him. Sheila was on the love seat, staring out the window, something she doesn't usually do unless someone is approaching the house. Bob was fine and on his way out the door to check on what caused the noise. "There's a car on fire in front of the school!" he exclaimed. Sure enough, flames were coming from both ends of the van. Two fire trucks and three police cars were there, but no ambulance, something to be very grateful for.

I have to say I'm grateful that the Lord has shown me that I'm too high strung to have a job like a policeman or a fireman. They took their sweet time turning the hose on the fires. Me, I would have been scampering about like something insane and not getting anything accomplished other than getting all in a dither. They got the job done in a calm, professional manner. Thanks, Lord.

What was interesting about the fire is that when they turned the hose on it, there was an explosion and a shower of large white sparks, like fireworks. Never saw anything like it before. It happened three or four times. Both in the front of the van and the back. The van was delivering new carpet for the school, so what caused the fire is unknown. Apparently, the carpet man was inside the school, ripping out the old carpet when the fire started.

Again, we have much to be grateful for. The school was just a few feet away and if the wind had been blowing in a westerly direction, it could have burned down the school. However, it was blowing in a northerly direction and there are no buildings that way that could have been harmed.

School starts in a couple of weeks, and I'm grateful for that. The boys are so precious. I had the privilege of scoring one of the boys entry tests today (gave me something to do while I'm laid up.) The boys are tested to determine what they've accomplished in previous schools, rather than for aptitude or IQ. I'm in love already and sincerely hope he'll be joining us when school starts. They're such a joy.

Not sure, though, how grateful I should be for my boss. When he called to ask if I could doing the scoring, I was telling him that I was teasing Bob about getting me one of those truffle blizzards. Bob said he didn't love me that much. Today, I told Bob he really loves me more because he knows I don't need a truffles blizzard. My boss ignored that part of the conversation and brought me one when he brought the tests. I'm grateful I don't want another one. They're OK, but nothing to write home about, so I'm grateful for the lesson.

All in all, I have much to be thankful for. The Bible tells us to be thankful in everything. It's a great way to live.

Walking in the Light

It all started while I was watching "American Ninja Warrior." It wasn't that the participating athletes said anything profound or new. They keep emphasizing the need to stay active. Inspired by their amazing feats of daring do, I decided to abandon my usual excuses and get active.

It's been a long time since I've been active about anything except my teeth. I do enjoy eating and it shows. For years, my excuse to not exercise the rest of me has been myoclonus (sudden, uncontrolled, and unexplained body movements.) I was convinced they increased with activity, especially if I rode the bicycle my son gave me. I allowed myself to believe any activity increased them. Then too, arthritis has crept in. I know, I know, exercise reduces arthritis symptoms, but I couldn't be bothered getting past the initial stiffness and soreness.

Living in Florida is a third excuse. The slightest movement causes sweating. I hate to sweat. Add to that it causes enormous time constraints to exercise in the morning then; shower, wash, dry, and style my hair, get dressed, eat breakfast, put on a face and be at work by 8:00. I'm one of those who the hurrier I go, the behinder I get. However, if I exercise in the evening, the endorphins keep me awake. Another excuse.

Seeing those athletes on Ninja has been a wake-up call. Many of them have serious health issues and yet, all are able to compete. Often, it's the ones with the serious health issues who go the farthest. Many of their stories have been deeply moving. Perhaps the one whose story has moved me the most is the wife of the competitor, rather than the competitor himself, although he trains by carrying her around because she has a very rare disease that has caused her connective tissue to deteriorate. At one point, she said every bone in her body was dislocated. The past two years, she's been a wheel chair and was expected to have a shortened life span. This past year, they've changed their diet and she's begun to exercise with her husband. This year, she's walking beside him! Amazing and humbling.

Armed with such inspiration, it was time to take action. It's often been said if walking is the exercise of choice, 10,000 steps a day are needed, about 1 1/2 hours of effort. Before anything is done, time must be spent studying God's Word and learning about Him. Resetting the alarm also became a necessity. No more sleeping to 6 a.m. Moved it back to 4 a.m., but often anticipate the clock and get up between 3:30 and 4.

At 5:30, armed with flashlights, we set out for the .6 mile hike around the ranch. It's ideal. Sheila and my husband leave me to it after 1 or 2 laps, but I don't mind. Being alone in the pre-dawn hour is a beautiful thing. Normally, I would be apprehensive about the lonely area between the pasture and the lake. It's dark and secluded. Every body of water in Florida has the potential to be home for gators and I really wouldn't want to meet one-daylight or dark. Coyotes sometimes run the property and I wouldn't want to meet them, either. It's also a discomforting thought that men love darkness because their deeds are evil.

Day two put that Scripture verse in perspective. The morning star was twinkling brightly overhead. One of Jesus' names is the Bright and Morning Star. Looking heavenward, I was reminded that I am never alone, even in that dark, secluded spot that could house any number of unpleasant situations. I even took a picture of the morning star and posted it on Facebook. Several complimented the picture.

Each day since has been one of communing with nature. The sunrises have been spectacular. When my brother was stationed in Ethiopia, Africa, he took movie after movie of clouds rolling over the high mountain peaks. The movies were beautiful, but enough was enough. I now understand why he did it. Every morning, the sunrises are so incredible, I just want to share them with everyone. You have to be there to really appreciate them in all their glory.

Only not with me. Where you are. I cherish my time alone. It starts my day peacefully and gratefully. I have 1 1/2 hours to pray, praising the Lord for how good He is, thanking Him for the wonderful place where I live, and asking Him to care for my family, my friends, my country, as well as all those associated with Shiloh Tabernacle Ministries, Inc. Of course, I ask for me, too.

It's next to impossible to have a private audience with a very important person and yet, every morning, I have a private audience with the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Creator of the Universe, the Prince of Peace.  Walking in the Light as He is in the light. Life doesn't get better than this.

Buyer Beware

Sigh. I get so tired of all my negativity. I'd love to be one of those people who can laugh off everything. Unfortunately, I'm not. Too many rich companies trying to dig into our fixed income pockets.

Lately, we've been engaging in more online purchases.  At our age, it's a big mistake, unless we know the site really well. Even then, it can be disappointing. For example, we have on occasion, purchased from the news channel that has "big deals" on holidays. There is a no return policy on those purchases. Until the 4th of July sale, that wasn't a problem.

Then the bottom fell out. My husband ordered a drone at a price in excess of $100. It was broken when it came and not from the shipping. It was very poorly constructed and the broken parts may not be available for replacement. We're waiting to hear from the company that promised to investigate. The hobby shop where he sought replacement parts said it was the cheapest drone he'd ever seen.

He also ordered me a pressure oven from the same sale at better than $90. When it came, the pan that is vital to use the pressure cooker part of the oven was replaced with a pan that will not work. I called the company and was told that oven is no longer made. Another waste of money.

I learned a very hard lesson from the situation. There's no interest in giving people a "deal." There's only interest in helping big companies reduce inventory on something that didn't sell well in the first place. There maybe a tax break in there,too.

About a year ago, I began purchasing a supplement that was supposed to do wonderful things for someone my age. Of course, it's hard to figure out of it's actually working or not. When a certain age is achieved, improvement is not possible. I may have come to the point where even maintenance is no longer possible. About all supplements can do for me now is slow the deterioration.

Long story short, I reordered once last December for a 6 month supply plus a bonus bottle. February, a sales person called and asked me if I wanted to order some more. I told him no. April, he called again. This time I told him no more emphatically. I said if he called again, I would consider it harassment.  After all, I'm still using the 6 month plus bonus order I made in December. He said that order put me on automatic refill. Again, I was emphatic in saying no, expecting him to correct the matter because I decide what I want to buy and when.

Lo and behold, last week, we were notified they were sending the supplement and had billed our credit card. Needless to say, I called to straighten out the matter and when the items arrived in the mail, I wrote "refused" on the unopened package and sent it back, meaning they have to pay the postage for both directions. I informed the company my exact words to make sure they knew how emphatic I was in my refusal and I did the same thing with the credit card company, which informed me that the issue had been corrected by the company.

At 4:00 this morning, a notice came from the credit card company via email, stating I had two payments, one for $98+ and one for $89+. Both were from a company I had never heard of. Ever. How am I supposed to order from a company I don't even know exists?When I called the number, the girl on the line started talking and wouldn't shut up. Ever had that experience? When they start that with me, I yell until I get their attention, which of course, sent her into martyr mode. She coldly informed me she didn't have to work with me unless I sent stopped yelling. Then, shut up and listen.

She proceeded to inform me that the 2 sample products I had ordered on the 4th of July automatically enrolled me and I was being charged for a regular size of the the products. I sent for samples of a product with a completely different name! Deceitful, to say the least. She said she'd be glad to give me a 35% discount on the current order I was refusing to pay for and then she'd cancel future orders. No way, honey. No way. Imperiously, she informed I would pay for what I had ordered-in spite of the fact I had not ordered. Surpassing the 2 week cancellation date (by 3 hours and 22 minutes) constitutes an order. She insisted the credit card company would force me to pay. Wrong. They laughed when I told them what she said.

Each item had a different order number and different phone number, so I called the second number and got a wonderful young man who took care of everything. I didn't have to yell at him. He was gracious and I reciprocated in kind. He listened carefully to my complaint before he cancelled it all out and gave me cancellations numbers to prove it. A call to the credit card company said the bills were pending and hadn't shown up on our account. Give it a few days and check again. If they don't show up, the company took care of it. If they do show up, the credit card company will take care of it.

Done with online shopping.  A banker once told me I was the lightening rod that attracted all the nasty business dealings so other people wouldn't have to suffer what I've been through and corrected. Thanks a lot!

Farming babies

What "farming babies" and speeding cars has to do with one another may be puzzling, but I'm trying to do a disclaimer right off the bat. The subject of farming babies is about to get grizzly and many believers may think I'm trying to be their Holy Spirit and tell them they have to believe and act the way I am. NOT SO.

I use the speeding car as an example of how we should treat each other and allow each to be spoken to by the Holy Spirit and allow each to listen to and obey God, not me.

In the early 1990's Bob had a business meeting in Detroit. We were living in Chicago at the time. It was late January and snowing on the return trip. The snow wasn't sticking, but it was flying into the windshield, reducing visibility. Bob cut 30 minutes off the travel time. I called people in Detroit we had visited prior to our leaving there. She said, "I see the Holy Spirit hasn't convicted Bob about doing the speed limit....But, then, I like to travel with people like that. I get there quicker and I don't have anything to confess!" Bob was a new Christian at the time and instead of scolding him about his breaking the law, she made a joke out of it. Would that we all treat others with the same dignity.

Christianity covers a very broad spectrum. Very broad and not every one of them will agree with me. That gives me no right to feel superior, or them towards me, either. However, when it comes to abortion and other things, I am firm in my beliefs and I'm going to let them be known.

The past year has brought to the public's attention that Planned Parenthood is selling aborted fetal parts. Perhaps America had to stoop that low in order for people to wake up and stand up for the preborn. Face it, we all started in the same way. The only difference between any person and a preborn fetus is age and title. We have infants, toddlers, teens, adults, and the elderly. So what's in a name? We're still all human and we all started as a fertilized egg. Science has recently discovered that there is a bright spark when fertilization takes place, further proof that life begins at conception, when the DNA is formed. The heart beat, brain wave, and spinal cord are functioning about 3 weeks after conception. Most women don't even know they're pregnant until later than that, meaning that baby feels what is being done to it when Mom chooses to terminate.

Selling fetal parts was bad enough, but it really hit home when I learned what is being done with those fetuses. I've known for decades that some Parkinson's medications included fetal material, but never gave it much thought. I've known that I, like Billy Graham, would refuse to accept such treatment. Not being sanctimonious, just standing by what I believe. The very thought of such a thing makes me sick at my stomach. I wanted desperately to ask a woman who thought it was a great idea (her husband died of Parkinson's) exactly which of her grandchildren she would be willing to sacrifice just so someone else could stave off death for another 10 years or so. No, I didn't ask her, but I wanted to. She didn't seem to mind if someone else's child or grandchild died to medicate her husband but, I doubt she'd allow her own to die.

I'm not dismissing the terrible disease of Parkinson's. It has increased over the last 50 years and I'm told it's a horrible death. But, taking the life of the unborn will not stop the death of the elderly patient for long. Whether it makes the death less painful, I honestly do not know. I only know that it's been proven repeatedly that abortion is physically painful to the preborn and most often emotionally painful to the mother and family members as well. It does not solve anything, just exacerbates the problems and the pain.

Last week, someone posted something far more grisly. It's preyed on my mind ever since. Not only is fetal tissue being incorporated in medicines, it is now being included in our food, drink, and cosmetics! How sick can this nation be? How dare we feel superior to Nazi Germany?

Take a good look. Recognize any of those bottles? Pepsi has been a favorite in my family for over 60 years. And, now this.


What about any of these? Nestle, Lipton, Campbell's soups, Cadbury Adams candies, Kraft-Cadbury Adams products. And, there's more. While looking for a Lipton logo, I just found out Lipton makes Green Mountain Coffee, which I just purchased to get away from another product! I almost feel hopeless. Almost. My list of boycotts is growing by leaps and bounds and my world is shrinking. Looks like I'm going to have to start my own garden and go back to scratch cooking. It won't hurt me and it will help a lot more than the junk being passed off as food and drink that is doing who knows what to our physical health?


Worse, what has it done to us spiritually? God gave the land to Israel because other nations had soaked the land with blood. Anyone who's ever read Scripture knows that. Adrian Rogers, now in heaven, was noted for saying if God didn't punish America, He owed Sodom and Gomorrah an apology. He's so right. We so sanctimoniously think we are superior to bloody nations now extinct. Guess what. We're worse than they are. We know better, but they didn't. We excuse ourselves by saying we didn't know. (Germany unsuccessfully tried that one.) Finally, we give up instead of fighting.

Going back to my first paragraph, I recognize the very wide spectrum included in what we define as Christianity. Only God knows who His children are and who think they are. I'm no one's judge. God didn't call me to that, but He did make this perverse atrocity known to me for a reason. Therefore, I will not now or ever again knowingly partake of any product that includes fetal tissue. Like I said, my choices have been narrowed considerably. It infuriates me to think people have the audacity to think "what I don't know won't hurt me." WRONG. God called on the Israelites to have a special sacrifice to repent of UNKNOWN SINS they committed. I didn't know I was consuming aborted fetuses, but I repented when I did learn and I intend to avoid that in every way I can. I also intend to sound the alarm. Should anyone choose to join me, please let me know. Should anyone dismiss me as a Bible-thumping, Pharisaical, bigoted crackpot, I shall wear that badge with pride and leave you to God.

Proverbs 21:30-31

If our leaders in Washington D.C. don't read their Bible, it might be a good idea for them to start. Tuesday morning, I read in Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." Ever since Trump was elected I've believed he was chosen by God.

In the first place, he made many mistakes, and some of them were original as well as serious. It didn't sit well with a lot of people. On top of that, he was dismissed and despised by the Democrats. In their minds, no one could beat Hillary, in spite of the fact she has been under investigation for years. And, could be again. I got the impression she wasn't particularly popular with Democrats, either. She was just about all they had at the time. Elite Republicans are still smarting under the fact that he shellacked 16 of them in the debates. The media can't be cruel or false enough to satisfy their egos. They have and will stoop to anything. Hollywood is even worse, as though they have room to talk.

Harry Reid, one time Senate Majority Leader, has admitted he lied about Mitt Romney's taxes just to defeat him. But, the lies told about Donald Trump haven't succeeded. Why? Proverbs 21:30 is my firm conviction.





Then, there's Chuck Shumer, delaying the vote on confirming Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, opposing Jeff Sessions for Attorney General, among other tactics. He's had respect for them and negotiated with both of them in the past. Why not now? Will his scorched earth behavior succeed? Only if it's a part of God's plan. I sincerely hope and pray it isn't.


Democrats aren't the only ones. John McCain, once the Presidential candidate for the Republican party is also showing his elitism. I'm sure he was upset with Obama making an apology tour in other countries. Then, McCain does the exact same thing! The general consensus of opinion around here is that it's time for John McCain to retire with honor instead of mouthing off like the embittered loser he seems to have become.

Lest anyone think I have stooped to name calling, I remember vividly McCain's face when he was standing beside President elect Bush (to whom he lost) and was asked if he would consider the Vice President's position in Bush's administration. The "no" response didn't say nearly as much as the injured look on his face. Then, too, he lost to Obama in 08. He's been opposed to Trump's Presidency from the beginning even though he wasn't one of those 16 candidates. His choice lost. Three times a loser.

Trump's comment that McCain wasn't a hero because he was captured was deeply offensive. It was one of his biggest original mistakes. Yet, he won anyway. Proverbs 21:30 again.


Trump had some nasty things to say about Ted Cruz as well, but Ted Cruz has swallowed those insults and, FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY has forgiven or at least overlooked Trump's insults, proving he's the better man. If Ruth Bader Ginzberg ever makes good on her threat to retire, I hope Trump considers Cruz for the Supreme Court. There's not a better Constitutional authority in the country.

Recently, Rachel Maddow tried to embarrass Trump by announcing one year of his taxes and ended up with the egg all over her face. And the media wonders why we don't believe, trust, or listen to them anymore. Proverbs 21:30 again.




 Personally, I find 24/7 news deeply disturbing. "This is what he said, but I'm the one to tell you what he means" seems to be the prevailing arrogance. I seem to remember Dan Rather saying that at one time. If it's announced before it happens, that's not reporting. That's supposition, opinion, conjecture, and speculation. They have all replaced good journalism.  Geraldo Rivera is a good one for that.

Verse 31 in Proverbs 21 says, "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD." We don't use horses in this day and age to fight battles. Today, we use our tongues against our own. The Bible says that the tongue is "a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." The first 12 verses of James, chapter 3, are about the tongue. Verse 2 says, "We ALL stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check." Is Trump perfect? Hardly. However, with all the vicious remarks, outright lies, and backroom plotting, Trump is still the 45th President of the United States. He'll be there until he completes the purpose God has for him. Proverbs 21:30.

There may be those who are pulling their hair out, wondering why God would choose such an imperfect person to perform His perfect purpose. It's well documented that He uses imperfect people all the time. That's all He has. Moses, Saul, David, and especially Judas. We won't any of us be perfect until heaven and Judas will never be in heaven, but he served God's purpose on earth. We are told in Isaiah 55:8 and 9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." God is Sovereign and I'm so grateful.

No news is good news.

The news at the moment is replete with division and fakery. Talking heads have to get rich somehow. Just yesterday I had lunch with a friend and her sister. We were talking about the news and that it's not news.

Geraldo Rivera was on Fox recently, saying all sorts of things that are unknown. "Suppose" this and "Maybe" that. Ainsley Airheart told him that wasn't journalism. It was speculation. She's right. Conjecture would be another good word. Guess. Or outright lie. Whatever it is, it's NOT journalism.

Journalism is reporting what has already happened. Not speculation about what may happen, not even what will probably happen and certainly not saying it because I want it to happen. Remember this one? Oops.

Did the media learn it's lesson? Nope. They're still smarting under the defeat of their choice, Hillary. Now, they're using their bully pulpit to scare the daylights out of people and to sabotage the President.

Just this morning, someone posted the possibility that Trump was going to stop Social Security. Really. The man is not stupid, but there are those who want him to be. Any news on Facebook is suspect. The headlines scream, but the story is milder than a spring day in Florida. I say again. That's not news. That's editorializing at it's best, speculation, conjecture, and even FAKE NEWS at its worst. From now on, anyone who quotes something the President is supposed to be doing, I'm going to respond with "Name your source."

At the doctor's office the other day, another patient was trying desperately to convince the receptionist that people were going to lose medical coverage if Obamacare was ended. The receptionist very gently informed her that Obamacare was a system that needs to be ended.

Then the woman started in on the President, how he knew nothing about foreign affairs. I told her I would like to set her mind at ease. Trump has made every mistake in the book. He's even had some original ones. He's hated by the Democrats, despised by elite Republicans, and is detested by the media. But, he's still the President. Why? God chose him.

The media is fear mongering. They've scared the poor woman witless. I noticed the same thing happening to my mother as she aged. She would dwell on the muggings, the robberies, the rapes that happened to the elderly. It's all she could talk about when I called her.

Well, the talking heads have to say something to fill the empty space. We were a lot better off when we had a half hour of news at 6:00, 11:00, and maybe one in the morning. Fillers weren't needed. There wasn't time for them.

I spent a lot of time thinking about that poor woman who was so frightened. If I could see her again, I would make some suggestions. First, I would tell her to turn off the TV. It takes days, weeks, months, even years for the news to actually happen after the media starts suggesting it. Are they trying for self-fulfilling prophecy? It's anti-climatic if  the event actually happens. And, it never lives up to the screaming headlines that were used to drum up attention.

Second, I would suggest she read a Psalm before going to bed. Five would be better. That way, the entire book can be read in a month. If You want to know about God, read the Psalms. If you want to know about people, ready Proverbs. If you want to know about Jesus, read Hebrews.

When I finished reading, I would turn out the light and say, "God, I'm so glad You're in control." In the morning, the first thought I would have would be, "God, I'm so glad You're in control." I am sure that poor woman would no longer be so anxious about things that will never happen at all, especially since she can't stop them even if they do happen.  My mother was never mugged, robbed, or raped, and yet she worried about it all the time. I'm reminded of the ad that quotes Caesar saying the coward dies a thousand deaths. My mother was no coward, but she worried needlessly. The Psalmist says don't fret. It only leads to evil.

The more I thought about what I would like to have told the other patient, the more I realized it was good for me, too. Last night, before bed, I told God I was so glad He was in control. This morning, I told Him the same thing. Nothing has changed in my life. There are still "issues," but they're not in my hands. They're in God's. Peace, sweet peace coming down from the Father above.