Wondering where 2013 went was where I began with my annual Christmas Poem. How is it that the 365 days we are given in one year fly by so fast? Wasn't it only yesterday that we were looking ahead to 2013 with high hopes and visions of what we could accomplish? Yet, we come to it's end and feel a let down because we realize we let many opportunities slip and as a result, have not yet seen those hopes and visions come to fruition. Perhaps all is not as it seems... perhaps some of our problem is our perception. We seem to have extremely narrow vision; mostly, it's an inward, "me" focus. As the old saying goes, "We can't see the forest for the trees."
Gaining a broader, wider view forces us to step back, to step up to a higher level. When all is said and done, the only perspective that truly matters is God's. We will be judged according to His set of books; not ours, and not anyone else's. At this transition between what's past and what's to come, I have tried to utilize my own "present" realities as a stepping stone; to stand on them and rethink them as manifestations of how God has brought me to this point in life.
I suppose age has something to do with it, because length of days reveals the aging process not only works on you, it's also working on your children and grandchildren. Both of my daughters are now in their forties. My oldest grandson has just graduated from Marine Basic Training. My youngest grandchild will soon be eight years old. I see signs of wear and tear in my own body as recently as yesterday, when an update of my medical records notified me that I have no less than eleven health issues, most of which are not serious, (thankfully,) but three of them bear close attention and affect multiple areas of my life, including my mobility.
From strong and able to do just about anything I set my mind to just a few years ago, to a cane, a walker, and a wheelchair betimes is a rude awakening to the unrelenting process of aging. Thankfully, the Lord has been right here throughout. He awakens me in the morning with songs and verses of Scripture that bring comfort and joy. He gives me thoughts that turn into letters and articles; words of encouragement for others. He gives me His grace and the strength to be faithful in my responsibilities. My children and grandchildren are learning and growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - I see this and feel an overwhelming sense of peace and great joy, knowing He is able to complete the work He began - not only in me, but in them also. This realization has me looking forward with great hope to 2014.
Happy New Year!
Maranatha!
Showing posts with label Aging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aging. Show all posts
Friday, January 03, 2014
Monday, March 26, 2012
Re-Thinking "Oh, Moanie Me!"
I've been dealing with a physical dilemma since July of 2008. Like quicksand, it's affected so many things in my life; my body, aches and pains, mobility, mood, and my livelihood (forcing early retirement). What's more, the sheer length of time involved has been an additional drag. Seems like everything I've always loved to do is in a holding pattern. Painful days have found me limping and gimping around the house and anywhere else. From some unknown somewhere, I picked up a little saying, "Oh, moanie me!" Believe me, it got frequent use.
Then, I realized the "Oh, moanie me's" I've immersed myself in are counter-productive. I'm all too aware of how long I've been in this case, but I'm seeing that dwelling on that aspect only hinders progress in other, more needful areas. All this came in the course of, and as a result of a couple of week's study and ponderfication on the Adult SS lesson I taught yesterday (March 25th) - "The Prayer of Moses." (Psalm 90).
Condensed; God is our Dwelling Place, our Refuge and Shelter, our Portion, and our Reward - there is no safer place to be - it is enough! HE is enough! Wow!
This may seem like no big revelation, sort of a "Duh!"; but when I applied it to my own situation it was like a light suddenly came on in a dark room. If my life exists, consists, and is wrapped up in HIM, I am rich beyond compare - my current (temporal) condition/situation has no bearing on that reality.
Think about it! HE is both Author and Finisher of our faith. "HE who began a good work in you will perform it until the day..." Seeing that in the abstract is way different than perceiving its specific application. It has nothing to do with so-called "eternal security." It has everything to do with Who and What HE is! My circumstances, uncomfortable and difficult though they may be, cannot deplete HIM. I needed to once again realize it never has been, isn't now, and never will be my own grace or strength... Thousands of years ago, Moses knew and fleshed this out in life and in his prayer - the 90th Psalm. Meditating on his perspective brought me to a need to re-commit my life, my health, my hopes, my aspirations - and wrap them all up in HIM.
And as to any current dilemma/s, HIS Word says, "MY grace is sufficient - MY strength is made perfect in [your] weakness," (Okay - I think I've got my part of that equation pretty well covered.)
P.S. I know I may be preaching to the choir on this. Still, it's been an exciting weekend - even had the opportunity to back up what I've said herein with a public declaration/testimony last night during service. Hmm... Here's a bonus thought: It appears there's something very important about making an open statement for which you can be held accountable. Here's a well-known example. After posting his 95 Thesis, Martin Luther was required to defend himself. During that trial, he said, "Here I stand, I can do no other."
Next time you commit or re-commit something to God, tell somebody about it. That's what I just did!
Then, I realized the "Oh, moanie me's" I've immersed myself in are counter-productive. I'm all too aware of how long I've been in this case, but I'm seeing that dwelling on that aspect only hinders progress in other, more needful areas. All this came in the course of, and as a result of a couple of week's study and ponderfication on the Adult SS lesson I taught yesterday (March 25th) - "The Prayer of Moses." (Psalm 90).
Condensed; God is our Dwelling Place, our Refuge and Shelter, our Portion, and our Reward - there is no safer place to be - it is enough! HE is enough! Wow!
This may seem like no big revelation, sort of a "Duh!"; but when I applied it to my own situation it was like a light suddenly came on in a dark room. If my life exists, consists, and is wrapped up in HIM, I am rich beyond compare - my current (temporal) condition/situation has no bearing on that reality.
Think about it! HE is both Author and Finisher of our faith. "HE who began a good work in you will perform it until the day..." Seeing that in the abstract is way different than perceiving its specific application. It has nothing to do with so-called "eternal security." It has everything to do with Who and What HE is! My circumstances, uncomfortable and difficult though they may be, cannot deplete HIM. I needed to once again realize it never has been, isn't now, and never will be my own grace or strength... Thousands of years ago, Moses knew and fleshed this out in life and in his prayer - the 90th Psalm. Meditating on his perspective brought me to a need to re-commit my life, my health, my hopes, my aspirations - and wrap them all up in HIM.
And as to any current dilemma/s, HIS Word says, "MY grace is sufficient - MY strength is made perfect in [your] weakness," (Okay - I think I've got my part of that equation pretty well covered.)
P.S. I know I may be preaching to the choir on this. Still, it's been an exciting weekend - even had the opportunity to back up what I've said herein with a public declaration/testimony last night during service. Hmm... Here's a bonus thought: It appears there's something very important about making an open statement for which you can be held accountable. Here's a well-known example. After posting his 95 Thesis, Martin Luther was required to defend himself. During that trial, he said, "Here I stand, I can do no other."
Next time you commit or re-commit something to God, tell somebody about it. That's what I just did!
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Who Teaches Blasphemy?
Text: Titus 2:1-15
So how does a young minister teach those who are older than he how to behave and who and what to teach? Titus must have faced this dilemma during his ministry, because Paul took the time to outline a number of things Titus needed to cover. First, he would need to take care that he, himself was on solid ground. Paul told him to "speak the things which become sound doctrine."
Next, Paul addressed what Titus should teach older men. They were to be "sober, [vigilant,] grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience."
Then, saying aged women were to have a "likewise" attitude, [like that required of aged men,] Paul honed in on the specifics Titus was to teach "mothers" in the Church. In reality, these were grandmothers and elder saints, some of which were widows.
But at the root of it all, everyone is "older" than someone else. We all have the responsibility to teach those who are coming along behind us, physically and/or spiritually. The points Paul outlined form the parameters in which these women had the right, duty, and privelege of teaching...
By their own behavior...
In Romans 2:21-24, Paul spoke directly to teachers of the law with this caution...
All around us, people are watching our life and comparing it with what we say. For our words to bear weight, they must be backed up by the way we live. To believers and unbelievers alike, every teacher; be it young or old, he or she, Jew or Gentile, bond or free; has the reponsibility to be an example. Anything else brings reproach upon the Name of Christ and His Bride - the Church, and is not profitable for anyone involved.
So how does a young minister teach those who are older than he how to behave and who and what to teach? Titus must have faced this dilemma during his ministry, because Paul took the time to outline a number of things Titus needed to cover. First, he would need to take care that he, himself was on solid ground. Paul told him to "speak the things which become sound doctrine."
Next, Paul addressed what Titus should teach older men. They were to be "sober, [vigilant,] grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience."
Then, saying aged women were to have a "likewise" attitude, [like that required of aged men,] Paul honed in on the specifics Titus was to teach "mothers" in the Church. In reality, these were grandmothers and elder saints, some of which were widows.
But at the root of it all, everyone is "older" than someone else. We all have the responsibility to teach those who are coming along behind us, physically and/or spiritually. The points Paul outlined form the parameters in which these women had the right, duty, and privelege of teaching...
By their own behavior...
- as becometh holiness
- not false accusers
- not given to much wine
- teachers of good things
- to be sober
- to love their husbands
- to love their children
- to be discreet
- chaste
- keepers at home
- good
- obedient to their own husbands
In Romans 2:21-24, Paul spoke directly to teachers of the law with this caution...
Whatever you teach others, you need to teach yourself!
- If you teach stealing is wrong - why would you steal?
- If you teach adultery is wrong - why would you commit adultery?
- If you abhor idols - why would you commit sacrilige?
- You say you know the law - why do you break the law? By doing so, you dishonor God!
All around us, people are watching our life and comparing it with what we say. For our words to bear weight, they must be backed up by the way we live. To believers and unbelievers alike, every teacher; be it young or old, he or she, Jew or Gentile, bond or free; has the reponsibility to be an example. Anything else brings reproach upon the Name of Christ and His Bride - the Church, and is not profitable for anyone involved.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Thoughts on Aging...
A curious thing... Perhaps you've already noticed it. Part of the aging process is wear and tear, accompanied by weariness and teariness. (Could there be a connection?) We mourn over the loss of youthful strength and energy. We ache and creak in the strangest places. Memories of long ago events come back in great detail. We not only remember our own feelings, but age and experience (hopefully,) have taught us to better understand what must have been the feelings of others. Our days and nights are spent with a new companion; his name? (Arthur Itis). Gray hair grows whiter and wrinkles appear. They make me wonder, where did the years go? Should my oldest child live her "allotted" years, (70 per the Bible,) she reached the half-way point (35) this year. My younger daughter is but one year behind. Wow! My oldest grandson will be twelve this summer!
Ah! and that brings me to one of the greatest blessings of growing older - grandparenting. Another generation... a bid into the future... a chance to pour a little something (perhaps hope and the strong belief in what can be,) into fresh minds and hearts. A chance to watch your children teach their children, realizing that much of what they're doing was learned at your knee. Sometimes that realization is rueful, sometimes it's overwhelming, and sometimes it humbles you to know how grateful you need to be to those who taught you. One thing is certain - it's a long line; it did not begin with me and it will not end with me.
The waning years have a purpose. I've had enough experience to know they too will fly by. This makes them all the more precious. While I'm here and while I have the strength, I have a charge to keep. It is to encourage those who are raising the next generation and bless their little ones with the chance to grow and develop their faith. It must be grounded in the Word of God. That's what kept our grandparents and our parents too. It's what gave us a plumbline by which to measure all our life experiences. It's able to keep our children on course, and it is the one sure thing we can give our grandchildren. It will carry them through all that the future holds and will still be true and sure when the time comes for them to teach their children and grandchildren - long after we're gone.
So as age does it's thing, as the hair grays and thins, as the bones creak and the strength grows weaker - it's a comfort to know that my faith rests on and in the One who is eternal. He changes not. His Word is sure and His promises are faithful.
Many years ago, at a time when life was fraught with distress and upheval, two significant things happened... First, He gave me warning of the impending changes in a series of three dreams. I told them to my mother over the phone. She perceived their meaning and import and helped me understand them. They prepared me and helped me know He was there, ever present. During this time He also brought a promise from His Word to my attention. "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13) I held onto that promise in all that followed. (I still cling to it.)
The second was born out of the first. The knowledge of His abiding presence and the way He had led me thus far brought a profound peace when the storm struck. It hurled itself into our lives with all its fury. Our days were filled with chaos. Through it all, prayer came easy, but it was not the frantic praying of a terrified soul. His presence was palpable. It was both comforting and upbuilding. Strength that was not my own was lent to me. Even strangers remarked on the peace surrounding me.
Right in the middle of that storm-tossed time, my next door neighbor came over, actually knocked on my door, to ask if I could help her find the peace she saw in me. Her heart was hungry and she gladly came to know the Lord, her husband and children soon followed.
Life has taught me that you cannot lose when your trust is in Jesus. He is abundantly able; to deliver, to save, to heal, to restore, to keep, and to give perfect peace in every situation. He is also able to complete all that He has begun in you - to the day of His appearing.
Maranatha!
A curious thing... Perhaps you've already noticed it. Part of the aging process is wear and tear, accompanied by weariness and teariness. (Could there be a connection?) We mourn over the loss of youthful strength and energy. We ache and creak in the strangest places. Memories of long ago events come back in great detail. We not only remember our own feelings, but age and experience (hopefully,) have taught us to better understand what must have been the feelings of others. Our days and nights are spent with a new companion; his name? (Arthur Itis). Gray hair grows whiter and wrinkles appear. They make me wonder, where did the years go? Should my oldest child live her "allotted" years, (70 per the Bible,) she reached the half-way point (35) this year. My younger daughter is but one year behind. Wow! My oldest grandson will be twelve this summer!
Ah! and that brings me to one of the greatest blessings of growing older - grandparenting. Another generation... a bid into the future... a chance to pour a little something (perhaps hope and the strong belief in what can be,) into fresh minds and hearts. A chance to watch your children teach their children, realizing that much of what they're doing was learned at your knee. Sometimes that realization is rueful, sometimes it's overwhelming, and sometimes it humbles you to know how grateful you need to be to those who taught you. One thing is certain - it's a long line; it did not begin with me and it will not end with me.
The waning years have a purpose. I've had enough experience to know they too will fly by. This makes them all the more precious. While I'm here and while I have the strength, I have a charge to keep. It is to encourage those who are raising the next generation and bless their little ones with the chance to grow and develop their faith. It must be grounded in the Word of God. That's what kept our grandparents and our parents too. It's what gave us a plumbline by which to measure all our life experiences. It's able to keep our children on course, and it is the one sure thing we can give our grandchildren. It will carry them through all that the future holds and will still be true and sure when the time comes for them to teach their children and grandchildren - long after we're gone.
So as age does it's thing, as the hair grays and thins, as the bones creak and the strength grows weaker - it's a comfort to know that my faith rests on and in the One who is eternal. He changes not. His Word is sure and His promises are faithful.
Many years ago, at a time when life was fraught with distress and upheval, two significant things happened... First, He gave me warning of the impending changes in a series of three dreams. I told them to my mother over the phone. She perceived their meaning and import and helped me understand them. They prepared me and helped me know He was there, ever present. During this time He also brought a promise from His Word to my attention. "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13) I held onto that promise in all that followed. (I still cling to it.)
The second was born out of the first. The knowledge of His abiding presence and the way He had led me thus far brought a profound peace when the storm struck. It hurled itself into our lives with all its fury. Our days were filled with chaos. Through it all, prayer came easy, but it was not the frantic praying of a terrified soul. His presence was palpable. It was both comforting and upbuilding. Strength that was not my own was lent to me. Even strangers remarked on the peace surrounding me.
Right in the middle of that storm-tossed time, my next door neighbor came over, actually knocked on my door, to ask if I could help her find the peace she saw in me. Her heart was hungry and she gladly came to know the Lord, her husband and children soon followed.
Life has taught me that you cannot lose when your trust is in Jesus. He is abundantly able; to deliver, to save, to heal, to restore, to keep, and to give perfect peace in every situation. He is also able to complete all that He has begun in you - to the day of His appearing.
Maranatha!
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