Wednesday, October 31, 2012

"Public shows of honor are pleasant, but private ones are pleasanter, because they are above suspicion." Mark Twain in a letter written to Will Bowen in 1888

Greetings to one and all on this Wednesday, the last day of October, the 31st, in the year of our Lord, 2012. This is the day that many will dress up for Halloween, enjoy parties, and take the little ones for trick or treat activities. The trend for this presidential election year has Obama and Romney masks at the top of the list for costuming. They are followed by Big Bird which is also connected since that was one of the lasting themes that came from the debates. Gangham Style dress is also right up there. That's from the Korean singer who started a worldwide dance craze. For traditionalists, there's still the ghouls, skeletons, witches, and goblins. And, there are also plenty of other pop culture people to impersonate, or cartoon character and superhero costumes available. The youth group within our local fellowship is having an outreach activity to provide candy to those in our neighborhood. As for us older folks, well, we decided to carry on with our Bible study time, impersonating ourselves. Hopefully we will show up wearing a prayer on our heart along with a desire to hear God speak as we open up His book. (I used the image of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles because they are making a comeback. Our boys used to watch them when they were young and there is now a whole new series and now our boys' younger kids, just like them, are captivated.) As Solomon recorded in Ecclesiastes 1, Verse 9: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

We can't help but conjure up mental images when we read a headline. That's what they are designed to do. Get our attention enough so that we will want to read more. I am attracted to strange headlines that tell their own story, perhaps not the one intended. Here's some that got my attention along with their sources: "Alton Attorney Accidentally Sues Himself." (local paper, Alton, IL) ~ "Blind Man in Drunken Rage Bites Guide Dog" (Daily Telegraph, London) ~ "Airline Travel Safer Despite More Accidents" (Reuters) ~ "Man Tossing Knife in the Air Stabs Self in Head" (Associated Press) ~ "Husband’s Internet Date Turns out to Be His Wife" (local paper, Pennsylvania) ~ "Chicken With Artificial Legs Dies A Hero" (Associated Press) ~ "Hairdo Kills Mum" (Daily Mirror - London) ~  "Constipation Is Not the Root of All Evil After All" (Reuters) ~ "Americans Driven to Suicide by Fear of Death" ~ (Daily Telegraph - London) I think you get the idea. We all could agree that the one about the lawyer accidentally suing himself is a pretty funny story. And, I've actually seen some hairdos in my time that could have been hazardous to anyone's health. Some, however, are just sad. Here's a clickable headline from yesterday's online Houston Chronicle: "Man drives into Texas church and beats pastor to death with guitar". People. We are a strange lot but thanks be to God, He loved us, ......enough! Here's a headline intended for every man, woman, boy and girl: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

The dental company I used for my recent surgery is one of those corporate run operations where they deal with large numbers of clients as quickly as they can. It is set up a little like an assembly line operation. The cubicles for doing the actual work are side by side. You can hear everything going on beside you. Once they had me prepped, one of the administrative people came in to talk to me about why the insurance wasn't inclined to cover the bone graft. Meanwhile, my Periodontist excused herself and went next door. While the lady was talking to me, the surgeon was talking to the fellow in the next cubicle. He had undergone a similar surgery two weeks before. It had not gone well. He was still too sore to brush. She was surprised. She told him to get a baby toothbrush and try that. She seemed to chide him a little for his slow recovery. Do what? Hello? Couldn't brush after two weeks? I know what you are thinking. Why wasn't I listening to the administrative lady? Because she was giving me the standard insurance blah blah blah. I was much more interested in client number 2 and his woeful experience. When the surgeon returned she was still wearing that full keyboard smile and acted like I hadn't heard a word. Next time I will get me some earplugs or maybe one of those music players. It can be challenging folks, it most certainly can be. Have a good day and may God bless each one. Amen.           .....More later.

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