<> Ask the Pastor Rev. Walter Snyder Several of you commented favorably about last week's column on Islam. It's good to know that folks in our area want to continue learning more about other people. That's always been one of my "vices." While some may accuse me of reading whatever I get my hands on so I'm a better player of trivia games, I actually do well in such games because I've passed through so much information on my way to finding out what I was really looking for. Many times in college or seminary, papers took overly long to create because I became interested in the background material instead of what was relevant to what I was writing. This is not odd, at least not for a pastor. I've found that this is one of those areas where it is helpful to be a "generalist," albeit one with extra information and abilities in certain areas. And when I don't know something, being exposed to so much helps me to find the references which do answer the questions I have. I know that I'll never know everything about God or His creation. I also know that I already have possession of all I need to know about my salvation. Yet as long as I'm able, part of my goal in life is to understand more of the "Big Picture." And this week's questions put a few more tiles in the mosaic that's taking shape. Q: This isn't a question about religion, except that my problem might affect it. I'm getting along in years, and am concerned that my mind isn't as sharp as it used to be. I don't show any symptoms of Alzheimer's, just those of someone growing older. I'm losing some of my pep and enthusiasm, including for worship and service in my church. Is there anything you recommend? A: First, I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Second, does your doctor agree with how you've described yourself? I answer when asked, but not when I'm not qualified. We all worry about losing physical and mental abilities with age. It's part of the deterioration sin brought into the world. Yet we also have some recourse. The problem: It can be hard work. Already, science shows that older people who exercise regularly have, in the main, happier, healthier lives than do their lazier counterparts--just as holds true for the younger folk. Now we're finding out more that exercising our minds can also make a difference. What would I do? Find more ways to think and more occasions to do so. Study something new. Solve various types of puzzles. Read more, and seek challenging topics once in a while. Also, newer studies show that learning and performing physical tasks can sharpen our thinking. So try a new handicraft or otherwise teach yourself to do something new. One last thought--keep the company of friends who similarly challenge themselves. People get smarter by having smart friends, and it's usually a mutual occurrence. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Just make sure of the friends. You can dull your mental edge if you pound it against the rock of ignorance and prejudice. Q: (This is the one question I've been asked the most since starting this column, so I guess I should get around to airing and answering it.) Are you going to run for the Hospital Board this year? A: I really don't know. If I did, I'd probably have to give up writing for a while, because of those "equal access" laws. Besides, I ran initially in a desire to serve my community, and maybe a better place for that is here in the pages of the Newsboy. Q: What about your Lutheran beliefs document? Could we translate that into Russian and Kazak? A: See, I get all sorts of questions. This came from missionaries to Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic. It's reminds us that people are doing the Lord's work around the world, and that we're all a part of that work. I may never meet these people, but we've gotten to know each other through e-mail. Now I have someone else for whom to pray. If your church has a mission budget, perhaps you, too, are contributing to the proclamation of the Gospel to such far-off places, as well as to people much closer. (By the way, permission has been given these missionaries to use the material in order to teach about Jesus to these people.) That finishes another week. Remember to "Ask the Pastor" your questions at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; e-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Walter Snyder is the pastor of St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.