Assisted Suicide just Around the Corner!

Sounds like a helpful sign, doesn't it?  Having trouble killing yourself, just turn the corner and you're there!  Indeed, I predict that the USA will be seriously discussing physician-assisted suicide in the very near future. So, I wanted to make a couple of pre-preemptive points-- just to get ahead of the game.

Proponents of allowing us to whack ourselves with medical help can create scenarios that sound pretty appealing. People with dementia of one type or another are ripe candidates for whacking. The US healthcare system is staring down the barrel of a wave of baby-Boomers who will overwhelm our resources. That is a safe prediction.

Why not just whack them?  Is a certain solution to be discussed. But let's think about it another way. Let's say that you and I are both pet lovers, with dogs in our homes that we have raised since puppyhood. We have loved our dogs, and, our dogs have loved us in return. In fact, walking our dogs has been a great exercise - both physically and socially and that is how you and I met. Well, sadly, all dogs may not go to heaven (or they may), but they all do die eventually. But, our dogs aren't dead yet, they are sadly suffering incurable diseases of doggy old age. Now, here's the question:
It is FINE for me to pay the veterinarian to put my poor doggy out of her misery, but would it be OK for me, unbeknownst to you, to put YOUR dog to sleep as well?

I am hoping for  a resounding "NO!"

I think MOST would agree that whereas I, as my dog's owner, can make that sad decision for my poor doggy.

So WHO owns you? Or more seriously, WHO owns your aunt with serious dementia?

We don't own ourselves!  We have been "Bought with a price" (I Corinth 6:20; 7:23), and a VERY high price indeed. So if your owner, G^d, wants to whack you, He can do so, without even hiring a vet.  And, if G^d wants you to stick around, even with dementia, keep in mind, the Christ bought you, and everyone else, with His blood.

Get my point on Physician-assisted suicide?

Natural Bridge-- Photos

A few weeks back we went up on a Sunday to Florence. On the way, we had to pass Alabama's Natural Bridge.  Many, many years ago, I had taught a young fellow whose family owned the land on which the Natural Bridge stands. We had visited at his invitation way back in the 80's.

Well, as we walk in to the admin area to pay our entry fee, who is there, but my old student, Dennis D, who now is actually pretty old.  It has been a few years, and a LOT of water has flowed down the stream that winds through the beautiful valley beside the bridge.

This is indeed a beautiful spot.  We highly recommend it.  And, if Dennis is there, give him our regards.

Bishop's Laws- no really!

Over these 68+ years, we have developed some guidelines for staying out of trouble, or getting in trouble.  Perhaps the best known law is:

"Never buy something the same day you see it."  A lot of "caveat emptor" mistakes arise from being hasty.  That salesperson is trained to be convincing.  But, "upon further review" can save you a LOT of $$$.  Besides, what difference does ONE more day make?

"Never buy anything over the phone."  I could have saved a few hundred dollars following this law. "Can you send me something through the mail?" is a reasonable request.  If the answer is, "No", there's a reason for that answer, and, you didn't need it anyway.

"If it's worth doing...it's worth OVER-doing!"  Yeah, this one has caused a few problems, but is pretty descriptive. I'm not recommending following this one.

But, perhaps my most famous law is, "Bishop's Law of Opposites", which simply states, "Whatever my FIRST impulse on anything, doing the OPPOSITE is more likely to align with Scripture."  This one is a bit sad, but has proven true on many occasions.

G^d's Laws are BETTER and more useful than Bishop's Laws, and I HIGHLY recommend those laws first, but G^d has given us a bit of insight as part of our Imago Dei. So pay attention.  You might save some money and some regrets.

Thanks for Thanksgiving

We, in the USA have MUCH for which to be thankful, and I personally have a LOT for which to give thanks. I look back at my career and realize how Blessed I was to teach during the era I taught, with the students and faculty I met. We have a very nice retirement, and I thank the L^rd for that too.

We have 4 wonderful children, and 80% success is pretty good! Just kidding, we have 5 wonderful children. The 80% who are married have great spouses and wonderful grandchildren. All of these are healthy and functional. What a Blessing!

Brenda and I both marvel at the world traveling we have enjoyed. How many people have lived in 2 countries outside the USA? We enjoyed greatly our times living in GA, FL, VA (2 cities), RI, MD (2 cities),, NY, and TX (2 cities). We have enjoyed our longest stretch in AL. Thank you G^d.

We both enjoy excellent health, even for our age. We are free, as far as we know, from chronic disease, and not on medications, except for one small one. In general we feel good and get to exercise a couple of times a week. Health is a gift from G^d.

As retirees we have lot of freedom. Our work with Cru Faculty Ministry gives us a lot to do. We are Blessed to be missionaries. We are blessed with many friendships. We are blessed with the opportunity to publish a trade book on Christian wellness, and to see the release of the second edition of the text book. We are Blessed to live peaceably and with good neighbors. Thank you L^rd!

Most of all I am thankful for my dear sweet wife, a true Blessing from G^d! Everyone who knows her loves her, and I have the great privilege of living life with her. She is a true Proverbs 31 woman and I am MOST thankful to G^d for her!

Yes, we have much for which to thank the dear L^rd, much indeed.

Traveling the World--Over time!

Here are some of our foreign adventures (with dates):

Honduras: Univ. National= 3 Presentations on Injury Prevention, Energy Pathways, and Thermoregulation and Sport; Univ. Tech. 2 Presentations on Thermoregulation and Sport, June 2017.

Tsuba University, Tsuba Japan. Exercise Science: Applications Beyond Sport and Exercise. Aug 2016

Taipei, Taiwan. Professors as Students. July 2016.

Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture, Yerevan, Armenia: Recovery from training; Exercise in the heat; Teaching and evaluating University Students. March 14-18, 2016.

Univ. of Maria Galvez, Guatemala, City, Guatemala. Feb 25, 2016.

Christianity and Science. Univ of Costa Rica, 16 Oct 2015.

Hydration in Sport. Univ of Costa Rica, 8 Oct 2015.

Teaching Techniques. La Curena, Costa Rica. Oct 10-15, 2015.

Bishop. Recovery from training. Sunderland Uni., England, 21 May, 2015.

Bishop. Hydration and Nutrition in Recovery. Oxford Brooks, England, 26 May, 2015.

Bishop. “Getting Published. La Sapienza University, Ph.D./faculty seminar. 11 May 2015, 10-1130. 

Bishop. “Getting Published. University of Bologna, Ph.D./faculty seminar. 29 May 2014, 10-1130. 

Bishop. “Training Recovery: Research Principles. University of Capetown, Research seminar. 19 July 2013.

Bishop. “Training Recovery: Research Principles. University of Bologna, Ph.D. seminar. 17 June 2013, 10-1150.

Bishop, P. Three presentations to Mongolian International University faculty and three to students, Ulaan Bator, Mongolia, Sept –Oct 2012.

Bishop. Recovery in Elite Athletes. Invited presentation to the Swedish Olympic Summer Sport Coaches. Stockholm, Sweden 17 April. 306

Bishop. Protecting Elite Athletes in Hot and Humid conditions. Invited presentation to the Swedish Olympic Summer Sport Coaches. Stockholm, Sweden 17 April, 2012.

Bishop. Recovery in Endurance Sports. Invited presentation to the NVC Uthållighetskonvent (Endurance Conference). Östersund, Sweden, 27 April, 2012.

Bishop, P. 3 talks to Philippine Olympic Committee coaches, May 16,17; 2 talks to Private schools coaches and PE teachers, Manila, Philippines, May 2011.

CCCI, two presentations, Chambrun, Haiti, July 2010. 

Aswan, Egypt Medical Residents- gave 7 hours of faculty development to 13 new physicians, April 2010.

Osaka CCC International. Spoke to Faculty members and staff. Osaka, Japan, 28 Jul 09.

Palmas, Costa Rica: Taught a 16-hour course on Andragogy and Leadership. June 2008, Jan 2009, Feb 2010.

Primero Regional Congresso de Educacion Fisica, Deporte, y Recreation, Campeche, Mexico, Nov 2008, “Applicaciones de Investigacion en Educacion Fisica y Deportes”.

Two presentations at the Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China Jul 08.

Taught a 24-hr course, rural Costa Rica, May-June 08. Taught a 16 contact-hour seminar in teaching and leading small groups Jan 09.
Havana, Cuba , two talks, Nov 9-13, 2009.
3 invited Presentationa, San Jose, CR, Oct, 2009.

Multiple presentations to the University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela, May 08.

Two presentations, CCC Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica, Jan 08.

Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua (Matagalpa), Universidad de Commerciales Ciencias, Ave Maria University of the Americas, numerous invited talks . Mar 07.

Amman, Jordan, 2 talks.

University of Herat, Herat, Afghanistan. 3 seminars of 2.5 hours on Academic Leadership, and psychology of the learner. ~55 Faculty participated on each session. Oct. 06.

Presented four invited talks at the University of Costa Rica and one at the Universidad Autonoma de Centro Americano, San Jose CR, Oct 2005.

Presented four talks at the Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cuzco, Cuzco, Peru, Mar 2003.

Two talks to the ETH (Federal Institute of Technology) Honggerberg, Zurich, Switzerland, May 27, 2003, and to medical students at ETH, Lausanne, 26 May, 2003.

Montreux, Switzerland, 2 talks. may 2003. 

Presented 7 talks at two universities in Merida, Mexico- Instituto Technologico de Merida and Eschuela Normal Superior, Sept. 2002.

Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Darwin, Australia, Jan-Feb, 2002.

University of Southampton, Sport Studies, Southampton, UK, May 01.

Cruzada de Estudiantil y Profesional, San Jose Costa Rica, Oct. 00

University of Panama, R.P. Schools of Medicine (Physiology Dept.), Natural Sciences (Biology        
       Dept.), and Physical Education, Republic of Panama, ‘96.

Jerusalem, Israel- 3 talks.

Instituto Technologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Monterrey, N.L. Mexico, 2 talks, June 1995.

Instituto Technologico Autonoma de Mexico (ITAM) and Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico, Oct. 1994.

The Central University of Ecuador- To Physiological Psychology class and to the department of Physical Education- 2 lectures , June 1994.

The Polytechnical University of Ecuador- Physiological and Engineering: Challenges of Humans in Space, June 1994.

The Confederation of Sports in Pinchinchia (Ecuador)- 3 lectures , June 1994.

The Polytechnical School of Exercise of the Superior Military Academy of Ecuador, June 1994.

Tashkent Government University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, CIS- 4 lectures March 1993.

University of Glasgow, The Queen's College of Glasgow, and Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland. Made four invited presentations 1992.

Montreal, Canada, two talks, June 1990.

My main point in blogging these is to save the places and dates.  Whew, I otta be tired!

Blogging a Bit Behind

I am further behind than I have ever been on this blog.  I am two posts ahead, and that ain't much. If you are a reader, thanks, but also be reminded, this blog is CHIEFLY to help Brenda and I remember things we want to remember. Plus, sometimes I need to write out things to see what i think about them.  Sometimes I am giving myself advice.

I am certain that some things I write make little sense or are of limited interest. I agree.

We have been on the run it seems all semester. We have been on the road, or trying to catch up. Things have gone pretty smoothly, there has just been a LOT of it. I have heard retired people whine that they are so busy in retirement that they don't know how they had time to work.  Now, I understand what they were saying.

I hope our time and energy are being invested wisely, because it is CRYSTAL CLEAR that there is less of either available than ever before. We are endeavoring to invest in eternal things. Our work is with faculty, who will impact students, who will impact others, etc., etc. We endeavor to get them to have a Christian impact on their students. Many, many are FEARFUL they will get in trouble for speaking up, and we'll chat about that in another post, mostly because I need to think about it.

Lately I spend quite a bit of time trying to deliver Thanks-a-prof thank-you notes to faculty. It is harder than I anticipated, because I didn't give it a lot of thought before.  I think that is common--and a common mistake. I am glad I have only about two dozen to deliver as opposed to 190+ of one of my colleagues up in VA.

I have been too busy to deer hunt.  Unbelievable eh?

Well, getting caught up a bit... maybe I should go hunting.

Deferring to G^d!

I am currently in the process of writing a trade book with an MD colleague, Dr.Walt Larimore.  This will Dr. Larimore's 33rd book, I think.  Needless to say, I often defer to Walt, due to his superior knowledge and experience.  It only seems prudent.  I imagine most of you readers would do the same.

Which has gotten me thinking...

We, oft times, fail to defer to G^d!  Now, I won't go into G^d's superior experience, knowledge, and wisdom than mine, or ours. I trust that is obvious to us all. So, why don't I defer to Him, ALL the time?  Would seem prudent.

Maybe you are better at deferring than I am. I fail to defer to G^d whenever I sin. But, too I also fail to defer when I "go my own way" even though what I am doing isn't strictly sinful. I spend a LOT of the time G^d has given me in foolish, wasteful ways. I fail to pray, to seek G^d's direction when I am making a big decision, or, true enough, even for a small one!

How about you? "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (Ja 4:17)  We know what is right, and yet we fail.

How about some little things?  Do I keep the Sabbath?  Do I fast and pray?  Do I honor G^d in all.

L^rd help me to defer to YOU O G^d, more than to any man.  Make it so!

Suicide is Painless- NOT

Some of you old timers may recall the theme song from the movie and t.v. show "M.A.S.H.". The song had a line in it that said, "Suicide is painless, it brings so many changes...".

Well, not sure where the writer got that idea. Suicide is incredibly painful for many of those surviving the suicidal person's death.

And, suicide is becoming increasingly prevalent. I just read yesterday that suicides in the over-60 crowd have doubled in the last few years. Now this is a relatively low-suicide group, but it is still noteworthy. Suicide is now the SECOND leading cause of death in the 19-34 year age group. It only trails accidents in this risky group.

Tomorrow I will meet with an official of a major university to talk about how Christianity might help the campaign against suicide.  Here's some thoughts:

S.A.D.= Stress, Anxiety, Depression-- many students face these factors routinely--

Triggers, or risk factors, for suicide include depression, hopelessness, isolation, stressful life events, addiction, a family history of suicide, and previous suicide attempts.

What Might Christianity do to help?

Depression- we give folks an EXTERNAL reference. There was PLENTY of reasons for early Christians to be depressed, yet the hope of Christ kept them going, and even joyous.

Hopelessness- we give HOPE even in Sad situations.

Isolation- we provide fellowship!

Stress- We help w stress relief.

Family history- we can become surrogate family.

As a FACULTY ministry: we can equip Christian faculty to be resources to help students and colleagues.

Suicide is painful for many, and seems to be a growing threat to everyone--particularly the young.

Keep your ears open for any signs of suicide triggers.

The US needs your help!

Thank-a-Prof

One of the best strategies our Faculty Commons Ministry uses to reach Professors is called "thank-a-Prof".  In this campaign, we solicit students to write "thank-you" notes to teachers they have had in previous semesters.  We collect those, make sure they aren't "hate-mail", and then hand-deliver to faculty members across campus.

I knew this would be popular among faculty because such acknowledgements are strangely rate in Higher Education. Over my 33 years, I kept most every hand-written thank-you that I ever received--and the file isn't overly thick!

I underestimated how popular this would be. Profs have been willing to chat for amazing lengths of time. They seem exceedingly happy to get these, and one young Ph.D. student almost wept when she read the card. A full professor with 24 years teaching here said over and over, how nice it was.

So, that raises the question, why is this so very rare.  I recall one of my friends saying that his son wrote a thank-you to each of his profs every semester. What a great idea!  I wish I had thought of that.

Gratitude is a VITAL character trait, especially for Christians.  We OUGHT to be exceedingly thankful to the G^d of the Universe who did for us what NO person could ever do--He saved us from our sins for ALL eternity! This is the greatest gift, but far, that you could EVER receive--don't you think you could show a little gratitude?  And, of course, I am speaking to myself too.

So here's my advice, to me and to you. Let's start expressing gratitude where it doesn't often exist. Most people thank others when a service is rendered. But thank your garbage men, the next police-person, the next firefighter, the next veteran or military person you see. Use a bit of imagination and be a bit aggressive. As we express gratitude, our gratitude level inside rises also, and we remember more often to THANK the G^d who gave us life- temporal and eternal!

Thanks for reading this.