It should be embarrassing to Verizon to treat a subscriber the way they have treated me. I am embarrassed for them. Four times they have given me dates when I will be connected. The next date is July 25, but I have lost confidence in their promises. I have waited in vain for almost two months. I tell them that they have about put me out of business. They apologize profusely, but are short on action.

    I have tried to enroll with some other server, but none serves this facility except Verizon, and apparently to but one other person. That person told me that he too had a delay in being connected, but not nearly so long as I. The problem appears to be some technical difficulty in going from Verizon Fios, which I had, to Verizon DSL. Fios lines run down our street, but they do not serve The Vintage, which sets back from the street a hundred yards or more.

    With Ron Hasty, who has been sending out essays for me, out of the country for a month, I prepare this essay in hope that I can find someone else to post it for me.

    But "being disconnected" is not our most serious problem just now. Ouida's health is not improving. She is as weak as ever, perhaps more so, and has a relentless, nagging cough, and is often short of breath. We decided this week, in consultation with our primary care physician, to consult with other specialists.

    While she still makes short trips with me -- and I do believe they are good for her and conform to doctors' orders to push herself somewhat -- it tires her more than a little. Sometimes she opts not to try it, not even to go out for dinner. We can dine here at The Vintage when we choose to. But her lack of appetite aggravates her overall condition.

    Her doctor tells her she must gain weight, and that she must make herself eat -- at least a bite or two every two hours, such as ice cream. He was a bit stern with her. She sits and stares at her food more than she eats it. I told the doctor that I am no longer going to "preach" eating to her. He agreed that it is just as well.

    She went with me three weekends ago to the Holiday Inn at DFW airport where I addressed the Tate Family Reunion at their Sunday a.m. worship service. We were transported there and back by members of the Tate family, and spent the night at the hotel for the two-day affair. Ouida took part in all the festivities with almost normal energy, and her appetite conveniently quickened for the elegant cuisine.

    I have long known several members of the Tate family. The eight siblings, all still living -- with the oldest in their 80s -- were all brought up in strict Churches of Christ orthodoxy. I was curious as to how many of them were still with us in Churches of Christ, and upon inquiry learned that only three of the eight.

    That is better than the family of a dear old friend of mine here in Denton, now deceased. He once complained to me that of his five sons, all raised in Churches of Christ and all graduates of ACU, not a one attended a Church of Christ. We would do well to ascertain why we have lost a large part of an entire generation. It helps some that it is a common problem among mainline churches. A loss of denominational loyalty, which may not be good, is a characteristic of "the church in transition."

    Interestingly enough, the Tate family nevertheless appreciates my longtime ministry in Churches of Christ, and my efforts to effect some changes. It turned out that I was not there only to speak, but to be recognized and honored. There were accolades, a display of some of my writings, and a freewill offering in appreciation of "what this man has done for Churches of Christ," which turned out to be an impressive sum.

    When Ouida afterwards counted the money -- cash and checks -- she was energized! I'll have to tell our doctor that if we can arrange for a steady flow of abundant collections -- and make Ouida the purser -- we might solve her energy problem!

    I addressed the Reunion on the point of life -- a question that grows in relevance with one's years. I suggested that the answer is as old as Socrates in fourth century B.C. Greece, who insisted that life is an ongoing quest for truth. We begin to see the point of life when we recognize how little we know. The quest, which never ends, leads us to such answers as "Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24).

    On July 8 I addressed the First Christian Church here Denton -- rather close to where we now live -- on hope for a troubled world. I conceded that it might appear naļve to speak of hope in such a troubled world as ours. But that is what the church is, a community of hope in a world that is both without hope and without God. I gave them my reasons for believing in God's tomorrow, both for this world and the world to come. We all rejoiced when a young couple, one of them just out of prison, came forward for confession of faith and baptism.

Note:

    I am at last on Verizon DSL, so I am able to send this essay on my own, however late. This will be the end of the "Keeping In Touch" series.