The Old… And The New

SAT., JUNE 24, 2000, 3:41 PM
FARM, STUDY

During most of this earth life you have adapted pretty well to the new – things, procedures, machines, even. Now you are elderly and not much interested in the new… for what was once new to you is now, mostly, old. And this, of course, is the main lesson, of which I remind you, this day: new is nearly always supplanted by “later new”, so the “former” new moves toward being old.

This pen is an example. When you were young there were no ball point pens… just pencils or fountain pens. Ball points came “in” sometime during your teens, probably, and for most uses they have replaced, certainly, the fountain pen and, sometimes, the pencil. So, though still functional, these are considered “primitive” as a means of communication. You still do well with the typewriter (selectric, even), but have let most in your culture “pass you by” as they move to the computer, the Internet, and Email as better ways of communicating.

Your sorta-friend, Dave, is urging you to go to a “computer-generated” Ruminations… and you’re still satisfied with the sophistication of the selectric and the Printing Plant. I really have nothing to advise on this matter. Just suspect that, with the “pace” of your culture, at this time, you would have to keep adapting to new and more complex (for you) machines. This means that you would have to keep adapting to ever-new (and better) machines. You probably don’t want to have to do this. (You had a hard enough time yesterday putting a new ribbon in the typewriter!)

So, this pen is kept together with plastic tape… but it still is My favorite for the translation of My thoughts to paper. (It is good, considering your increasing forgetfulness, that you now have a similar pen, as a back-up).

Telephones have changed some, since the black box on the wall, but have been part of your life since childhood. “Picture-phones” never did arrive, a small example of a technology that “never made it”.

The article this morning, telling of a hospital’s financial problems AND then the description of the expensive, new equipment they’ve purchased. The lesson seems to be: buy expensive, new, state-of-the-art equipment and this will increase your “business”… meaning patients will not go “elsewhere” and this hospital will be able to afford all it has… purchased… and will purchase.

As you suspect, I say there is too much prolonging of lives… and I certainly disagree with the judgment, also published, that scientific medicine does not need any spiritual component… science and spirit are not compatible. I smile that such statements are still being made. I am for medicine helping to maintain a high quality of life, while a body still functions rather well on its own… and for making some “corrections” in early and middle years. I am less and less supportive of “medical miracles” in the elderly, even just medical maintenance. But you’ve heard this before.

Increasingly, you could be feeling more and more “left behind”, as you don’t seek out and become competent with, the new. You will not be much bothered by this, and you shouldn’t be. You wouldn’t go back to a manual push-lawnmower, but you’re not attracted to “riding”. Your present chainsaws are quite sufficient for your needs.

There are, of course, many new ideas, but I urge you to continue your at least minimal, study of My Scriptures, seeking reinforcement for some good, tried-and-true ideas and the probability of finding what may seem new… among the old Scriptures. As I’ve suggested, re-read, now at your age, some books that you’re read… and marked… before. Seek new truths from old readings… or old truths that seem to be new and “applicable”.