Not long ago, Alan and I spent week in Hawaii on Waikiki Beach, but we weren’t really surfing those 30-foot waves that were rolling in on the North Shore. Alan attended the annual meeting for the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatrists. As part of his prep, he had to take a self-assessment to see how well informed he is concerning current trends in America, and he shared some of the interesting statistics with me. Those of us in our sixties (as Alan and I are) are surfing, but not on waves of water! We’re riding the crest of the tidal wave of Baby Boomers about to crash as a beach head here in America. 
Did you know that some 10,000 Baby Boomers are passing age 65 every day now? Did you know that America now holds the record for the most centenarians in the world: 53,000 and counting?! America is producing sixty-one geriatric psychiatrists per year, which only fills 40% of the need. Who’s going to take care of us when we’re all demented? 
Well, for one thing, we can be more pro-active in trying to take care of ourselves! According to current research, the most positive psychological predictors of successful aging include: “Resilience, optimism, personal mastery, coping self-efficacy, social engagement, spirituality and religiousity, and wisdom.” The single most valuable predictor of satisfaction is retirement is adequate social engagement (even trumping cognitive and financial issues). 
A couple of psychiatrists at the meetings, who had retired after highly successful careers, were taken off guard by how quickly they went from being highly esteemed to feeling no longer valued by their professional colleagues. I’ve heard this so many times! I think it would be extremely wise for each of us, as we approach retirement (or even if you’ve already retired), to find a compelling avocation to pursue that will require us to continue being fruitful….giving, growing, and engaging with others socially and spiritually. Maybe, if we can continue working on areas of personal growth such as those listed above, and if we’re willing to pursue productivity even after we’ve retired, we’ll find that we can surf into old age with grace rather than being dashed to pieces under the crushing waves!
“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:14).
When Same Kind of Different as Me came out last October (2017), one of my friends told me that I’d love it and to watch for it. So, when it came up on the play list during a recent flight to Hawaii, it was the first thing I watched! 
Same Kind of Different as Me is based on the New York Times’
Ron, a successful art dealer in Fort Worth, Texas, 
is married to Debbie,
others that’s prompted by a dream Debbie has one night.
The story is full of suspense, pain and healing… 
the transformation of men and women by the power of love.
It all started in a rescue mission in the slums of Dallas, Texas 
but has expanded to inspire millions to help with the homeless in America.
In an interview, I heard Denver say something to this effect: “The movie tells the story of a nobody who shares the good news with everybody that Somebody can save anybody.” 
Here’s another wonderful quote from Dallas’ obituary (after the book was written): “Miss Debbie saw through all the anger and confusion and saw straight to his heart,” Mr. Hall recalled. “It was like the old hymn he used to sing on the plantation, ‘When nothing else would help, love lifted me, love lifted me.’ He said it was her love that gave him hope and reason to change.” (
Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)
Do you observe Lent by giving up something you normally love? This year, I gave up coffee, and my son Joel has given up meat. Actually, Joel and I both find the challenge and discipline good for us, because every time we miss these staples of our lives, it reminds us of all that Jesus gave up throughout his life! And, it makes us appreciate the amazing bounty that we usually enjoy.
If you’ve watched the popular series about Queen Elizabeth called The Crown, you may know that Billy Graham preached in her chapel, 
but did you know that over the course of his life, Billy Graham preached in 185 
different countries on all six inhabited continents to about 215 million people
(and approximately 2.2 billion across airways)? 
Did you know that he appeared on Gallup’s List of Most Admired Men and Women 55 times…more than any other person on earth?! 
Since Billy Graham’s passing from this life to the next a couple of days ago, I’ve noticed an unbelievable number of (ungrounded) negative comments mixed in with the positives, which stirs me to point out a few of the undisputed positive aspects of his career. 
He had a policy of never being alone in a room with any woman other than his wife, and even in his last years, he continued that policy. 
He was a faithful husband who did not abuse women! 
Despite his world fame and popularity, which could have made him fabulously wealthy, Billy Graham always drew a (relatively modest) salary and kept his financial records open to public. 
#3. He never wavered from teaching the clear, simple gospel message from the Bible, which even Pope Paul II endorsed: 
Billy Graham practiced what he preached. He lived a life of integrity and faith because he was truly transformed by the power of the gospel. 
Without a doubt, Billy Graham has been one of the most influential men in history, 
and he has introduced the Bible and the claims of Christ to more leaders 
than any other person in the world during the twentieth century. 
So, rather than writing him off as some disreputable religious fanatic, 
please consider how this man, by steadily living out the life of Christ within him, had the opportunity to implore an entire generation around the world to seek God, salvation, and good rather than lust and greed.
I wouldn’t trade him for a barrel of monkeys or anything else you might offer! 
All this intro is so you don’t misinterpret his wry pseudonym for Thanksgiving, which is (as you’ve probably guessed) “Thanksgetting.” 
So, what are you doing for Thanksgetting tomorrow? Lord willing, we’ll do what we most often do: Gather with those of our family who are able to come and share a Thanksgiving “feast,” and then we’ll sit in a circle around a candle-lit coffee table in our living room and play “The Thankful Game.” 
Do you ever play that game? It’s a time of reflecting on all the blessings we’ve received over the past year from God, and we go around the circle sharing one by one, round and round until we all seem content that we’ve remembered to give thanks to God for all the most important things we’ve gotten from him. It’s really an opportunity to recognize God’s goodness in our lives and a great way to worship Him, whether you’re alone for Thanksgiving or in a big group.
However you celebrate, I hope you focus on what you’ve gotten rather than what you’ve given this year, and if it’s been a terrible year where you’ve suffered great loss, perhaps you can think about what you still have. 
I have a number of friends who’ve had serious physical problems this year, and some who have lost someone precious to them, and my heart grieves for them. 
Still, after visiting India and Nepal recently, I am reminded of how “good” most of us have it in America. 
King David suffered terrible losses in his life, and yet he wrote beautiful psalms of praise to God for His goodness and graces. 
I pray that whatever your circumstances, you’ll be able to say with David: “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the 
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms” (Psalm 95:2). 
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4). 
“And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing” (Psalm 107:22). 
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:8).
Have you ever experienced a cremation ceremony?
The Pashupatinath Temple, where we watched people being cremated, 
is on the Bagmati River, which flows into the Ganges River
The Pashupatinath Temple is really a complex that includes 518 temples
The original temple (the oldest in Kathmandu) was built around 400 BC, 
although the beautiful present-day temple was erected in the 15th century
Pashupati is the name of one of their 330 million gods, 
and if my understanding is correct, Hindus believe he is one of the manifestations of Lord Shiva, one of the three principle deities of Hinduism. 
There are so many threads I’d like to follow from this experience, but perhaps the most profound impact came from watching people being cremated. 
Wisely (given the intense heat and population density), it is traditional for a person to be cremated immediately, on the day of his death. 
(One tradition that I wish Americans would adopt is this:
There are several rituals that occur before the family arrives with their deceased loved one to the Bagmati River, like wrapping the corpse is in two representative colors: white (for purity, purified with cow urine) and orange (for holiness). 
The corpse is carried to the edge of the river on a bamboo ladder, where the feet are repeatedly washed or sprinkled with water from the river for the purpose of purifying and beautifying the body. 
Friends and family members form a line to pay their last respects, 
and most of them participate in pouring ghee (oil) into the person’s mouth. 
They also often leave gifts of paper money or flowers. 
Next, an elaborate funeral pyre is constructed on one of the concrete slabs 
using sandalwood (if possible, because of its fragrance), and the body is laid on it. 
If it is a man who dies, the oldest son is responsible as the kartā (person who cares for the dead relative) and lights the fire, which begins with the mouth. 
If it is a woman, her youngest son takes on the responsibility and honor of kartā. 
To make the fire hotter and ensure that the entire body is immolated, the body is covered with straw and often smeared with butter or sugar.
Because of the (now illegal) Hindu practice of “Sati” (where the wife had to be burned too if her husband died as a way of honoring him), today all the women leave the area before the body is burned, 
but the kartā and other men watch over the cremation, which can take 3+ hours. 
After the body and wood are completely consumed, the kartā sweeps all the ashes into the river and washes down the platform so it’s ready for the next funeral. 
Although beliefs and customs vary (as they do in every religion), my understanding (from our tour manager and other sources I studied) is that cremation is a way of returning the body to the earth. 
Hindus believe that the world consists of 5 elements: Air, water, earth, sky, and fire, and the cremation process includes all five elements, returning the body to the earth from which it came. 
However, Hindus believe that although the body will die, the soul does not. 
If the person lives a life with good “karma” (intentions and actions) that will lead them either to a higher station in life when they are reincarnated or to “heaven,” and if the person leads a life of bad karma, they will be reincarnated into a lesser form of life (such as an animal or lower) or hell. 
At the temple, there were a number of sadhus and aghora (monks who desire to become holy by ascetic practices.) 
They were more than happy to pose for photos (as long as we gave them money), but I think they are often shunned by many Hindus and seemed very strange to us as Westerners. 
In contrast to Hindu beliefs, I would like to share the Christian perspective, which includes purification by the blood of Christ, not holy river water, and offers regeneration through faith in Christ rather than reincarnation. Also, the Bible holds out the hope of eternal life as a gift after this present life ends, not because we’re justified by our ability to live out such good karma that we no longer need to be reincarnated, but by grace, based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ on our behalf:
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 
How Do You Feel About All the Infringements on Your Privacy?
In my case, if it’s just the American government spying on all of us, then I don’t actually feel like it’s an “enemy,” but whatever happened to the sanctity of home? I’ve been slowly trying to make the emotional adjustment to the realization that everything I ever say or write is recorded, and I try to imagine that I’m relatively safe since I’m trying my best to live a moral, law-abiding life. But, what if America’s government begins persecuting Christians? In at least 68 countries around the world, the governments restrict, persecute, or at least don’t protect the religious freedom of Christians. If America changes radically enough, then I will be in big trouble, because my faith in Christ and love for God are woven into the woof and warp of everything I say and write. The day may come when I will become a lawbreaker because I worship God!
While pondering this issue the other day and feeling a little distressed, I began meditating on Luke 12 (which I’ve written out below) and found myself greatly encouraged and comforted, so I wanted to share what I read with you. If you feel alarmed because everything you write and every call you make is being recorded somewhere here on earth, take heart! It’s always been recorded in heaven anyway, along with every thought!
Our job is to be pure and faithful followers of Christ. If the world sees what’s going on, so much the better! If we are persecuted for our faith, that shouldn’t surprise us. If lifting up the name of Jesus and testifying to the goodness of God gets us killed, then that’s a price worth paying, because some silent observer may be drawn to God through what we share. Be faithful! “Thou, God, seest me.”
“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
“Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
“And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” (Luke 12:1-12).
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Posted in A Patchwork of Little Thoughts, Bible Commentary, Christianity, Current Events, Making choices, On writing, Politics, Religious Issues, Trying to be our best inside and out!
Tagged Coping with infringements on our privacy, Is the U.S. government spying on us?, Luke 12:1-12, Responding to the lack of privacy on social media, What can we do about all the security breaches on the internet?, Whom should we really fear?