“You need a good bedside manner with doctors or you will get nowhere.” ― William S. Burroughs

I come today with some new information for you on this Thursday, October 4, 2018. I asked my wife if I should ask for prayer regarding this new development. She thought it would be a good idea. I am scheduled to see my new primary care physician in the morning. The wife thinks everyone should pray for him. He will be taking over for Dr. Tony Nguyen, a young man we have grown to love and appreciate. Dr. Nguyen and his family including his wife who is a pediatric specialist are leaving to work as missionary doctors in Nigeria, Africa. We are thankful for the calling God has placed on their lives and pray for them and their children as they go to minister to those in need. Amen. I first saw Dr. Nguyen on August 8, 2011. Here's my take on his medical skills. I am a diabetic. We have done this, that, and the other over these past seven years. With good results. I am still here. Still vertical. And, still thankful. Now I meet a new doctor. He is one of the senior members of the staff. While he no doubt thinks he has seen it all, some would try to warn him about taking me as a patient. That's one reason I am not identifying him by name. While Dr. Nguyen pretty much stayed with the company line of how they all are really good, I did detect some inclination in his thinking that perhaps this fellow and I will be a good match. I know. It may mean the new doctor has also had to deal with crazy people in the past. At any rate, I look forward to mostly getting on with the transition since as bad as I hate to do it, it has to be done. Let me put this into some perspective. I had a wonderful doctor I used for years and he left the practice. (He actually retired.) Now one that treated me has decided to find a new home in Africa. I could get a complex. Just joking. I feel very blessed to have the coverage and the access to medical care afforded to us through the plan we have. Now, if this new fellow was to resign on the spot, you might hear me say, "Houston, we have a problem."

I am pretty much tired of being tired. I'm talking about the scummy political landscape we have painted for our nation. Respect is no longer a word that means anything in Washington, D.C. I don't know if any of the claims being leveled against Judge Kavanaugh are true. Corroborating evidence seems to be totally lacking. The photo above indicates how Lady Liberty has been violated in this process of gutter mongering that we see played out each day. Forget about how low can it go. That's not even a boundary for consideration these days. Factual reports of people being paid to interfere with the process continue to surface. In other words, groups opposed to this nomination hire people to cause disruption and chaos. These are paid hit 'men or women' if you will. One of the largest contributors in this effort has already poured more than $200 million into groups opposing this man. We've had some dirty dealing in the past. We've drug our country through the muck. But, from my little corner of the world, it appears this unprecedented embracing of depravity may do damage for many years to come. The same people who said President Obama's background, his educational records, his high school activities, were not only off-base but were nobody's business are now leading the filth parade against a man who has undergone and passed with flying colors six previous FBI investigations. Sadly, the population, in general, will likely yawn and write it off as just another round of politics. I fear they will find out that it is much more than that. Much more. Perhaps, too late. I hope not.

But, not to worry, I don't have to check, God knows all about it, He is still on His throne, and He will make all things right in His own time. That's not wishful thinking. That is the Word of Almighty God! Meanwhile, we live in a fallen and broken world. We should not be alarmed when evil runs rampant. Even more so as The Day approaches. Meanwhile, we continue our sojourn. With God's help. On Tuesday evening, at the viewing of our dear Sister Anita, I saw hundreds of old friends that we have known for 25 or more years. We used to all be together in one local fellowship, but, circumstances caused us to be scattered. And we had even more reunions at her home-going service yesterday. What great memories of our serving our Lord together! The old hymn comes to my mind,

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne,
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts, and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

Us all being together again is only a preview of that time when we will see Jesus and live forever in His presence. Thank you, Lord, for a foretaste of that Great Reunion Day. Amen. ....More later.