My generation grew up with a reckless disregard of ultraviolet radiation. Far from avoiding sunshine, we basked in it. TV commercials promoted sun tan oils guaranteed to give a deeper, darker tan. Sun worshippers basted their bodies in baby oil and baked until well-done.

In an era before sunblock and UPF ratings, we considered sunburns a normal part of outdoor life. Every summer I burned at the ballpark, pool, and beach until my skin slowly peeled and then browned under the southern sun.

Now I’m paying for the sins of my youth.

I recently asked my dermatologist to check a small blemish on my face. She quickly identified half a dozen areas that needed attention. Pulling out an appliance that looked suspiciously like a paint sprayer, she spurted frozen nitrogen liberally over my cheekbones and one unwary eyebrow.

I left the office looking like an accident victim. The freeze-dried skin reddened and swelled (swoll . . . swolled up . . . swelleder?). After the doctor’s appointment, I made a hospital visit and several nurses tried to admit me!

Over time my skin healed and the blemishes disappeared. However, the dermatologist says people my age need an annual exam.

People my age . . . .

I’ve never been people my age before. People my age have always been OLDER. And now so am I.

So if I have any advice to offer the younger generation, then it is this:

Play outside.

But wear sunscreen.

And a hat.

Someday, you will be people my age, too!

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes declares: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. The author then lists fourteen pairs of diametrically opposed activities. Examples include: A time to live and die, plant and uproot, weep and laugh, mourn and dance, scatter and gather, and tear and mend.

The Preacher’s words inspired a list of my own which I have shared over the past two weeks.

There is a time to turn off your cell phone. Turn off your cell phone in a restaurant. Turn off your cell phone in church. Turn off your cell phone in a hospital. Turn off your cell phone during a funeral. (True story—I attended a funeral where a person ANSWERED his cell phone during the service!)

There is a time to call another person’s phone. Call after 8:00 a.m. Call before 9:00 p.m. Don’t call during mealtime. Any questions?

There’s a time to text. Don’t text and drive. Don’t text while others are speaking to you—or you to them. Don’t text on a date. Don’t text when you are with real people beside you. Don’t text during a sermon! 🙂

There’s a time to turn off the TV. Turn off the TV when a family member wants to talk. Turn off the TV when company visits. Turn off the TV during meal time. Turn off the TV when nothing worth watching is on—which is most of the time.

There’s a time to be intolerant. Don’t tolerate bigotry. Don’t tolerate misogyny. Don’t tolerate child abuse. Don’t tolerate mediocrity. Don’t tolerate intolerance.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. And the time is now.

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes declares: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. The author then lists fourteen pairs of diametrically opposed activities. Examples include: A time to live and die, plant and uproot, weep and laugh, mourn and dance, scatter and gather, and tear and mend.

The Preacher’s words inspired a list of my own which I will share over the next two weeks.

There is a time to stand up. Stand up when the National Anthem plays. Stand up when a lady or older person enters the room. Stand up when the family processes and recesses during a funeral. Stand up during the playing of Taps at a graveside—and put your right hand over your heart.

There is a time to take off your baseball cap. Take off your hat during The Star Spangled Banner. Take off your hat during prayer. Take off your hat as a funeral procession passes. Take off your hat at the dinner table. Call me old-school but take off your hat when you go inside.

There is a time to shut up. Ecclesiastes states this more tactfully by saying There’s a time to remain silent. I prefer to be more direct. Shut up when someone else is talking. Shut up at the theater. Shut up when a family member or friend is speaking on the phone.

There is a time to let go. Let go of a grudge. Let go of an addiction. Let go of hurtful words. Let go of harmful deeds. Let go of past failures. Let go of future worries. Let go and let God.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. And the time is now.

What happens in Vegas affects us all. As our nation grieves, may we turn our eyes towards God. Let us also unite in prayer for the victims, their families, the first responders, and the people of Las Vegas.

As of last night, 21 names of the 59 people killed have been released. They include:

• Charleston Hartfield, of Las Vegas
• Sonny Melton, of Paris, Tennessee
• Lisa Romero, of Gallup, New Mexico
• Jennifer Irvine, of San Diego, California
• Susan Smith, of Simi Valley, California
• Sandy Casey, of Manhattan Beach, California
• Rachel Parker, of Manhattan Beach, California
• Jessica Klymchuk, of Valleyview, Alberta, Canada
• Jordan McIldoon, of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
• Angie Gomez, of Riverside, California
• Denise Burditus, of Martinburg, West Virginia
• Jack Beaton, of Bakersfield, California
• Bailey Schweitzer, of Bakersfield, California
• Jenny Parks, of Lancaster, California
• Hannah Ahlers, of Murrieta, California
• Neysa Tonks, of Las Vegas
• Carrie Barnette, of Riverside, California
• Dorene Anderson, of Anchorage, Alaska
• Christopher Roybal, of Denver, Colorado
• Victor Link of Shafter, California
• Rhonda LeRocque of Tewksbury, Massachusetts

Heavenly Father, comfort your sons and daughters. Bring peace that passes all understanding. Send Your Spirit of consolation. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.