While I am sending this eNewsletter to all my Friends, I suppose it is
more for those Friends who are my classmates and others in my generation
- we who have reached our eighties but refuse to lay down and quit.
Yet it can be helpful for my younger Friends, for it gives thought to
why we may be a wee bit slower in responding. I will admit that I, and I
am sure other of my generation, forget that we have aged just a wee
bit. Which brings a pleasant flash-back.
In the early 1990s my mom was in the hospital in Alabama and I flew home to spend a week with her. Each day I would go to the hospital cafeteria for lunch - and I was shocked. My hometown is not a really big city, so I should have been seeing folks I knew. For several days I looked at all the white haired folks, seeking an old acquaintance or classmate. Nothing, nada!
Then on the third day it dawned on me. The white haired folks I was looking at - were not my generation - but were the children of my generation. When I began to look through clear eyes, there was Patty Brocato, a classmate. While we were eating lunch, Ralph Milam, another classmate, stopped to say hello. Yes, it is amazing what we find when we look through the right lens. But I still refuse to admit to being a senior - except for restaurant senior discounts.
Today when I received my "Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional" from Dr. Harold Sala of Guidelines International Ministries - it made me think. The Eighties Decade of life is a rather unusual one today. In earlier generations, by eighty most of us would have been gone. But today, as Dr. Sala points out in his devotional - even though we have lost as number of friends and family, a good number of them are still with us and active.
About twenty years ago two of my high school friends, James Henson and Bob Davis, and I began networking via e-mail and started adding other classmates. In those decades, using both e-mail and other social media - I have been able to stay connected with many of my classmates and other friends as we slip slowly into that magic decade - our Eighties. We have lost some, but many of us are still active and sharing our thoughts, pleasures, sometimes sorrows - but like the 1970s Bee Gees' song tells us, still "Staying Alive!"
I will admit that today in my writings, I do find myself today traipsing down Memory Lane more often. And I do find myself using that old phrase "flash back" more frequently. A few years ago a Christian sister at Bible study, who also receives my Friends Ministry eNewsletter, said to me, "Bill, it is amazing that you have such vivid memories of your childhood." And I had to admit that, along with the gift of writing which God has given me - He also has given me the ability to see and relive so much of my earlier life. So I suppose sharing those flash-back memories is also part of the writing ministry He has given me.
Many thanks to Dr. Harold Sala for reminding me of the blessing of flash-backs, in his Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional today. If you would like to also read his devotionals, hear his 5-Minute Daily Guidelines For Living Devotionals podcasts, finds his books and other writings, or just give to help his amazing ministry - Google "Guidelines International Ministries." You can also find "Guidelines International Ministries" on Facebook.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
5 WAYS TO AGE WELL
Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional
By Dr. Harold Sala, May 23, 2019 Guidelines International Ministries
Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Deuteronomy 34:7
"Dear Dr. Sala," wrote a friend, "Would you have any suggestions to help people who have reached their eighties and feel they have nothing to live for? I admit feeling very useless at times. I am 82, in a wheel chair, and have little energy."
In recent days, there has been a graying of society as more and more of us are living longer and longer; and with the years come new challenges. Frankly, every year I hear from more and more people who are struggling with the challenges of aging. I've done two things, thinking about this issue. First, I've asked again, "What does God say in His Word about this?" Then, I've talked with a number of seniors who are there and asked them what they have found that is helpful, which I can share with you.
The fact is that the number of men and women in their eighties has increased dramatically in the last two decades. Better medicines, better nourishment, and better health care in general have combined to give a lot of seniors more years. Whereas many would have succumbed to illnesses a few years ago, they now often fight back and have years to enjoy, provided they can enjoy them.
Far sooner than we would like to admit, the years turn into decades and we find ourselves doing fewer and fewer things for the first time and more and more things for the last time. How can seniors handle the changes of life?
May I suggest the following:
Guideline #1: Come to grips with the fact that you are here by the will of God, not fate or chance. God makes no mistakes and suffers no surprises. Paul wrote, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..." Never forget, until He calls you, you’ve got work to do.
Guideline #2: Realize that your true value as a person is dependent on your character and not your productivity. One of the flaws of our thinking, especially as we age, is that we are not worth much unless we are producing. This, of course, runs contrary to everything that the Bible says. It tells us that you are of value and worth, not because of what you do, but because of what you are. Paintings and fine books only become more valuable with age, and so it is with people.
Guideline #3: Accept your lessening strength with grace. "I greet each day as a gift," says Beatrice Cole, at age 90. She says that the last decade, from age 80 to 90, has been the best gift of her life, though she has been alone most of that time except for the company of her pet poodle.
Guideline #4: Force yourself to get out and mix with people. "After I lost Ethel," said Frank Emery, "I forced myself to get out, to travel, to play golf, to be with people." Sitting at home, refusing to reach out to others, only compounds your loneliness.
Guideline #5: Refuse to accept defeat at the hand of yourself. Theologian Dr. Wilbur Smith once wrote, “It’s no sin growing old, but it’s mighty inconvenient.” My wife of 60 years and I recently co-authored a book entitled, Age is Just a Number. Now that we are both in our 80s, it’s nice to write about something we have experienced firsthand. As the horses of time gallop down the lessening hills, share your life experiences with those who follow in your footsteps. Your memories will be with them long after you are gone. Indeed.
Resource Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I pray you have found today's Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional edifying and helpful. If so please let Dr. Sala know that you appreciate his ministry.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
In the early 1990s my mom was in the hospital in Alabama and I flew home to spend a week with her. Each day I would go to the hospital cafeteria for lunch - and I was shocked. My hometown is not a really big city, so I should have been seeing folks I knew. For several days I looked at all the white haired folks, seeking an old acquaintance or classmate. Nothing, nada!
Then on the third day it dawned on me. The white haired folks I was looking at - were not my generation - but were the children of my generation. When I began to look through clear eyes, there was Patty Brocato, a classmate. While we were eating lunch, Ralph Milam, another classmate, stopped to say hello. Yes, it is amazing what we find when we look through the right lens. But I still refuse to admit to being a senior - except for restaurant senior discounts.
Today when I received my "Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional" from Dr. Harold Sala of Guidelines International Ministries - it made me think. The Eighties Decade of life is a rather unusual one today. In earlier generations, by eighty most of us would have been gone. But today, as Dr. Sala points out in his devotional - even though we have lost as number of friends and family, a good number of them are still with us and active.
About twenty years ago two of my high school friends, James Henson and Bob Davis, and I began networking via e-mail and started adding other classmates. In those decades, using both e-mail and other social media - I have been able to stay connected with many of my classmates and other friends as we slip slowly into that magic decade - our Eighties. We have lost some, but many of us are still active and sharing our thoughts, pleasures, sometimes sorrows - but like the 1970s Bee Gees' song tells us, still "Staying Alive!"
I will admit that today in my writings, I do find myself today traipsing down Memory Lane more often. And I do find myself using that old phrase "flash back" more frequently. A few years ago a Christian sister at Bible study, who also receives my Friends Ministry eNewsletter, said to me, "Bill, it is amazing that you have such vivid memories of your childhood." And I had to admit that, along with the gift of writing which God has given me - He also has given me the ability to see and relive so much of my earlier life. So I suppose sharing those flash-back memories is also part of the writing ministry He has given me.
Many thanks to Dr. Harold Sala for reminding me of the blessing of flash-backs, in his Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional today. If you would like to also read his devotionals, hear his 5-Minute Daily Guidelines For Living Devotionals podcasts, finds his books and other writings, or just give to help his amazing ministry - Google "Guidelines International Ministries." You can also find "Guidelines International Ministries" on Facebook.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
5 WAYS TO AGE WELL
Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional
By Dr. Harold Sala, May 23, 2019 Guidelines International Ministries
Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Deuteronomy 34:7
"Dear Dr. Sala," wrote a friend, "Would you have any suggestions to help people who have reached their eighties and feel they have nothing to live for? I admit feeling very useless at times. I am 82, in a wheel chair, and have little energy."
In recent days, there has been a graying of society as more and more of us are living longer and longer; and with the years come new challenges. Frankly, every year I hear from more and more people who are struggling with the challenges of aging. I've done two things, thinking about this issue. First, I've asked again, "What does God say in His Word about this?" Then, I've talked with a number of seniors who are there and asked them what they have found that is helpful, which I can share with you.
The fact is that the number of men and women in their eighties has increased dramatically in the last two decades. Better medicines, better nourishment, and better health care in general have combined to give a lot of seniors more years. Whereas many would have succumbed to illnesses a few years ago, they now often fight back and have years to enjoy, provided they can enjoy them.
Far sooner than we would like to admit, the years turn into decades and we find ourselves doing fewer and fewer things for the first time and more and more things for the last time. How can seniors handle the changes of life?
May I suggest the following:
Guideline #1: Come to grips with the fact that you are here by the will of God, not fate or chance. God makes no mistakes and suffers no surprises. Paul wrote, "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will..." Never forget, until He calls you, you’ve got work to do.
Guideline #2: Realize that your true value as a person is dependent on your character and not your productivity. One of the flaws of our thinking, especially as we age, is that we are not worth much unless we are producing. This, of course, runs contrary to everything that the Bible says. It tells us that you are of value and worth, not because of what you do, but because of what you are. Paintings and fine books only become more valuable with age, and so it is with people.
Guideline #3: Accept your lessening strength with grace. "I greet each day as a gift," says Beatrice Cole, at age 90. She says that the last decade, from age 80 to 90, has been the best gift of her life, though she has been alone most of that time except for the company of her pet poodle.
Guideline #4: Force yourself to get out and mix with people. "After I lost Ethel," said Frank Emery, "I forced myself to get out, to travel, to play golf, to be with people." Sitting at home, refusing to reach out to others, only compounds your loneliness.
Guideline #5: Refuse to accept defeat at the hand of yourself. Theologian Dr. Wilbur Smith once wrote, “It’s no sin growing old, but it’s mighty inconvenient.” My wife of 60 years and I recently co-authored a book entitled, Age is Just a Number. Now that we are both in our 80s, it’s nice to write about something we have experienced firsthand. As the horses of time gallop down the lessening hills, share your life experiences with those who follow in your footsteps. Your memories will be with them long after you are gone. Indeed.
Resource Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I pray you have found today's Guidelines For Living Daily Devotional edifying and helpful. If so please let Dr. Sala know that you appreciate his ministry.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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