So here’s what happens when Big Brother legalizes euthanasia and assisted suicide.
 
First, his lawmakers carefully craft high-sounding restrictions that make their legislation appear to prevent errors – you know, like someone being killed against his or her will. They assure the public that they’ll proceed cautiously by implementing stringent restrictions. They suggest a 10-day waiting period. And they throw in detailed reporting requirements to make it all seem on the up-and-up.
 
The responsible medical professionals – “doctors” – then simply ignore the restrictions and waiting-period suggestions and reporting requirements. In turn, the responsible government officials ignore these compliance failures. And voila: A legal way to get rid of the old and the inconvenient in almost no time at all.

God only knows how many are really being victimized, for what reasons.
 
Here’s an update on these practices, along with the latest guesstimates, from our neighbors to the north. The report is from Mercatornet.com. Don’t expect to see this sort of thing covered by our newspapers of record, like the NY Times or Washington Post. They wouldn’t want to alarm us, I suppose.
 
To make up for their negligence, here is just one case history that summarizes, in three paragraphs, how one elderly Canadian woman was put to death because she had a bladder infection.

Amazingly, we object to the death penalty for mass murderers these days but promote it for those we regard as useless eaters.   
 
As I commented in 2013, “If these physicians can't snuff out life before it leaves the womb, and least they can get it on the other end, before some tiresome old man or woman has a chance to cause anyone too much trouble or to cost anyone too much money. Because, doncha know, we're busy people these days, and we need our money for important things like fancier cars and nice holidays.”  

The apostle Paul was correct when he warned, in 2 Timothy 3, "But know this, in the last days perilous times will come." They are certainly here.

                                      Detail from David and Goliath, Caravaggio, 1599

We all face troubles in our lives, some of them seemingly insurmountable. Does that describe your situation today? Are you struggling with failing health, perhaps? Discouragement? Loneliness? Maybe even doubts that are challenging the faith that has seen you through so many of life's trials?
 
In such circumstances, it’s critical to remember that though the world may abandon you, there is One who has promised never to leave or forsake you. Jesus Christ is always there to fight your battles for you, to help you overcome even the most formidable foes.
 
In His word, God provides example after example of how He intervenes on behalf of His children to assure victory. Please take a few minutes to consider how He did that in the life of a young shepherd boy facing a truly intimidating enemy. The speaker is Chris Carrillo; the occasion, the October Christian Music Hour at Care-age of Brookfield; the title of Chris’s talk, “The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat.”

Even when they’re safely settled in a nice nursing home, the elderly often have more than their fair share of worries.
 
There are those whose memories are slipping so precipitously that they’re in a constant state of uncertainty and fear. There are others who suffer from diseases that are not yet unbearably painful, but might become so next week or next month. Then there are those whose intellects are intact but can no longer communicate even a simple “yes” or “no” – and still others who are lost in loneliness, all but abandoned by children who always have more important things to do than visiting Mom or Dad.
 
And that’s just a sampling of the cares plaguing the residents of today’s nursing homes. Just imagine how difficult life must be for some of them.  Then think about what you might be able to do to make their lives a little brighter, simply by visiting a few of them regularly.
 
Sometimes just talking through his or her troubles is enough to alleviate an elderly resident’s most pressing fears.  Now and then you’ll even be able to resolve a particularly stubborn problem by bringing it to the attention of the right nurse or social worker.
 
But perhaps the greatest contribution you can make to an elderly person’s peace of mind is to lift up his or her cares to the Great Physician Himself – especially by petitioning Him together.
 
As the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” The promised result? “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
 
It’s true; fervent prayer always seems to calm a troubled but trusting spirit. And when you take the time to help the elderly talk with the Lord, you too can reap tremendous rewards.  
 
If you have a little time and a little love to spare, why wait? Contact the Activities Director at a nearby nursing home today and ask if there's a resident who could really use a new friend.