On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 7 of 7) Y=YOUTHFULNESS!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. TODAY! And we’ve been thinking about a couple of issues when it arrives.

We’re using the acronym SEVENTY as our guide. We’ve thought about the letter “S” (survival), the letter “E” (for engagement), the letter “V” (for victory), the letter “E” for (evangelism), the letter “N” (for newness), and the letter “T” (for trusting). Let’s conclude with the letter “Y” for YOUTHFULNESS!

That might be the last word you would come up with in considering my ancient birthday of SEVENTY! But the Bible has something to say about AGE. We read in Psalm 103:

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

That’s what I need — renewed, eagle’s youth! How does one get renewed, eagle’s youth? The Psalmist tells us:
1. It’s first of all by living a life of PRAISE! This practice of praise begins with self-talk! Have you told your soul lately to “praise the Lord” (v. 1)? Have you told your soul the same thing a second time (v. 2)?
2. Secondly, it’s reminding ourselves to REMEMBER! Don’t forget all His benefits (v. 2). Take the time today to list at least ten benefits you’ve received from knowing Christ Jesus as your Savior!
3.Thirdly, it’s reflecting on how you’ve been REDEEMED FROM THE PIT (v. 4).  It’s hard not to think of Joseph being tossed into a pit by his jealous brothers, isn’t it? Some pits are of our own construction; others are shoved under us by outside forces. But He, the Lord, majors in pit-rescues!
4.Fourthly, he CROWNS us with love and compassion (v. 4). Wow! Do you sense His love and compassion in your daily life? If not, get into the Word!
5. Lastly, He SATISFIES your desires with good things (v. 5)! When the Rolling Stones sang, “I can’t get no satisfaction!” in 1965, they probably didn’t realize that their double negative was really saying, “I can get satisfaction”!  We can get our deepest satisfaction from God alone. And He recalibrates our desires so we want the good things He provides!

Thanks for reading these posts from a man who, by God’s grace, has reached his “threescore and ten”!

Pray with me? “Lord of My Years, please guide me and use me in the time remaining to me. I want renewed eagle’s youth, Father. Please give that to me! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 6 of 7) T=TRUSTING!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. And as it approaches, I want to think about a couple of issues before it is “here.”

We’re using the acronym SEVENTY as our guide. We’ve thought about the letter “S” (survival), the letter “E” (for engagement), the letter “V” (for victory),  the letter “E” for (evangelism), and the letter “N” (for newness). Let’s think about the letter “T” for TRUSTING!

Linda and I are in the stage where TRUSTING the Lord has become very real. And sometimes quite difficult. When our children (or our grandchildren) face challenges, we want to rescue them, fix all their problems, help them (with godly advice, of course) to overcome all their obstacles. but sometimes all we can do is . . . TRUST.

So, after almost 49 years of marriage, we are getting much more serious about praying together. So after we’ve both had our coffee in the morning, we sit on our couch and we pray. We lift up our children and their families to the One Who is worthy of our TRUST. But it’s a lot easier to give advice (when it’s not asked for) or to worry in silence about circumstances and situations. I’m not sure it’s easier to TRUST when one gets older, but, in some sense, the options get more limited as time goes on.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Who Is Worthy of My Trust, please forgive me for relying way too much on my wisdom, foresight, advice. Help me and my wife to TRUST You in all circumstances ‘as long as we both shall live.’ In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 5 of 7) N=NEWNESS!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. And as it approaches, I want to think about a couple of issues before it is “here.”

We’re using the acronym SEVENTY as our guide. We’ve thought about the letter “S” (survival), the letter “E” (for engagement), the letter “V” (for victory), and the letter “E” for (evangelism). Let’s think about the letter “N” for NEWNESS.

I am getting opportunities to teach in places like Myanmar, Zambia, and Ethiopia. Romania and Brazil might be in the future. I get to train national church leaders (pastors and evangelists) who already know the national language!

I want to be open to new adventures for Christ. Several days ago I had lunch with Dr. Leighton Ford. Dr. Ford was an associate evangelist with Dr. Billy Graham (and married Graham’s sister). We had a great lunch together. What an encouraging brother! He prayed for my next 18 years (he’s 88) that the Lord would use me greatly.

Would you pray with me? “Lord of New Adventures, would you guide me in the years which you give me by Your grace to step boldly into whatever pleases You and advances Your Kingdom? In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

 

On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 4 of 7) E=EVANGELISM!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. And as it approaches, I want to think about a couple of issues before it is “here.”

We’re using the acronym SEVENTY as our guide. We’ve thought about the letter “S” (survival!, the letter “E” (for engagement), and the letter “V” for victory. How about this second “E”? How about the word EVANGELISM? I don’t think I have the gift of EVANGELISM, but I do care about the lostness of people around me. The late Dr. Francis Schaeffer’s statement (see picture to teh left) sometimes haunts me.

In light of the Pope’s saying it’s wrong to proselytize and the reluctance of almost 1/2 those polled in a particular generation to share their faith, EVANGELISM isn’t popular these days. But what does one do with the Great Commission?

Here the believer in Jesus is challenged not to simply make CONVERTS, but to make DISCIPLES! Contrary to liberal theology, all people are not already saved. They first need to be converted so they can begin to become DISCIPLES.

Of course, the Lord has given me the opportunity to write on this topic — and my book Unlike Jesus: Let’s Stop Unfriending the World comes from a passion to befriend those who are lost like I once was. As you think about the years the Lord has given you, do you have a heart for people who are far from God?

Pray with me? “Father, I thank You, first of all, for saving me! Give me a longing to share the Good News of the gospel with all You bring into my life. Open my eyes, Lord, to the conversations that are possible. And give me wisdom, after I’ve done some heavy listening, to say what You want me to say. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

 

 

On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 3 of 7) V=VICTORY!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. And as it approaches, I want to think about a couple of issues before it is “here.”

We’ve thought about the letter “S” (survival!). We’ve also thought about the letter “E” (for engagement).  I’m at a bit of a loss when it comes to the letter “V.” There is the word verisimilitude which means “the appearance or semblance of truth; likelihood; probability: The play lacked verisimilitude.” But that one doesn’t work. Other “V” words may fit. Veracity — I try to be honest in my dealings with others. Vivacious? Hmmm. Not so much.

I know! How about the word VICTORIOUS?! Seventy years have brought me many victories because of the Lord. I know that I am “more than a conqueror” though Him who loved me (Romans 8:37). I’ve had a few tennis and table tennis victories — and I’ve got a couple of trophies gathering dust to prove it.

How about in life? I thank the Lord for the VICTORIES of a son and a daughter who love the Lord, have married well, and have provided Linda and me with seven beautiful grandchildren!

I certainly believe I have been VICTORIOUS in love. Linda and I will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary this coming June.

Yes. VICTORIOUS! We read in I Corinthians 15:57- “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 44:4- “It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” He also tells us that “the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory (149:4). John writes that “everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

Pray with me? “Lord of VICTORY, help me to invest my days and years into worthwhile errands for You. Give me VICTORY, Lord, in those things that really count. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

 

On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 2 of 7) E=ENGAGEMENT!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. And as it approaches, I want to think about a couple of issues before it is “here.”

We’ve thought about the letter “S” (survival!). This morning let’s think about the letter “E.” I’m thinking that a great “E” word is . . . ENGAGEMENT! Here are some areas where I’m engaged — AND STILL IN THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE!

I’m so thankful that the Lord is keeping me busy in areas where I’m somewhat qualified.

Would you pray with me? “Father, what we do with our lives matters! Help me to invest the days and months and (hopefully) years that You have remaining for me to do Your work! Thank You that I can feel useful in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

On Becoming Seventy! A Few Reflections (Part 1 of 7) S=SURVIVAL!

Groundhogs’ Day. February 2nd. That’s my birthday! Now, I think that Groundhogs’ Day ought to be declared a national holiday. This furry creature comes out of its comfortable underground home to prognosticate about the next six weeks of weather — Surely that deserves to be honored as a national holiday!

But it’s also my birthday. My 70th birthday. And as it approaches, I want to think about a couple of issues before it is “here.” Seventy years of age. “Three score and ten.” The Bible actually talks about our lifespan in Psalms 90:

The days of our years are threescore years and ten;
and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years,
yet is their strength labor and sorrow;
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

What I want to do in the next seven posts is tackle the issue of turning 70. Each post will begin with the next letter of the word SEVENTY!

So today’s post is the letter “S.” “S” stands for SURVIVAL! God has kept me alive for threescore and ten years. I’ve gone through heart surgery, by God’s grace, successfully. I had a tumor on one of my kidneys years ago that was a 90% death sentence IF it had been cancerous. Praise God, it wasn’t!

I’ve survived crazy drivers in New Jersey and Indianapolis wanna bees in South Carolina! I’m a SURVIVOR!

Now, no one should take their daily survival for granted. In God’s providential care, He has preserved my life. Seventy years equals 25,550 Days. 70 years = 613608 hours. And minutes? 70 years = 36816480 minutes! That’s thirty-six million, eight hundred and sixteen thousand, four hundred and eighty minutes!

 Psalm 90 says,
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Join me in my prayer today? “Lord of time, thank You for the years that You have given us. Help us to be faithful in how we spend our minutes and hours. Give us grace to face the troubles and sorrows that life hurls at us. And give us a heart of wisdom in serving You with joy! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”