AGING WELL?

 

AGING WELL? Part One. 

Dear fellow agers,

  If we have sense and sensibility other than in library book form, we are aware that aging and aging well are two distinctly different areas; some just getting old physically while others also mature spiritually, which definitely includes mentally and emotionally resulting in heightened physical heath.

  Those of us aging well recognize indicators, something of itself reflecting aging well.

  Today I share a helpful list that I read recently and have been pondering.

  First there’s the basic 3 needs: Love, Significance, Security. Without being fulfilled we don’t age well. Supportive family, friends, and acquaintances may be helpful in this, but only our Creator can optimize fulfillment . . . if we freely are agreeable in submissive acceptance.

  Here are 5 of the indicators that show we are aging well, or not:

1. We don’t live with self-pity, understanding and maturely accepting that life is lived with apparent losses and gains. Rom.8:28; 1Thes.5:18

2. We are realistic, but not pessimistic about the future. Isa.46:9-10; Rom.15:13

3. We don’t live to win arguments. 1Pet.3:15

4. We do not deliberately isolate ourselves from family, friends, acquaintances, or others. Pr.17:17; 18:24; Act.20:35

5. We don’t live with doubts about God’s available direction. Ps.32:8; Jer.29:11

  If I remember, I’ll be sharing more on this topic tomorrow.

EBB4

I DON'T CHEW

 

I DON’T CHEW

  Proverbs [GW] 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens the wits of another. 

  John Chapter 16 … I am telling you the truth: It's good for you that I'm [Jesus] going away. If I don't go away, the helper [Holy Spirit] won't come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. He will come to convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God's approval, and to convince the world that God judges it. He will convict the world of sin, because people don't believe in me. He will show the world what has God's approval, because I'm going to the Father and you won't see me anymore. 

er be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used. 

  1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways.

  James 5:16  So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God's approval are effective. 

  “I don’t smoke, drink, chew, or run with women that do!” was once a declaration of Christian identity for some. Personally believed but some, a quaint summary by others, but hardly approaching Philippians 4:13. The point being that there’s more than “I don’t chew” involved in Romans 12:1-3 worship and public testimony.

  Yesterday I was again reminded of this. God’s Holy Spirit ever the trainer, He often using fellow travelers to school us.

  I laughed when I viewed the darkly humorous cartoon on Facebook, and while still snickering hit “Share” sending it to my many FB friends.

  I soon received a “Surprised at you Granpa” chastising response. (To chastise is not judgementalism. It is with the goal being healthy correction.)

  Immediately I considered my reason for the action. It being my youthful peer conditioning. We boys enjoying repeatedly singing macabre songs. Portions of which contained “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother 40 whacks …” and another “The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out. They play pinochle on your snout …”

  A reason, yes, but certainly not an excuse.

  Thank you Lord. Thank you Amber.

EBB4

   

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR

 

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR

  It is important to remember events . . . and the lessons therein. This is a pedagogical Biblical principle. (Jn.3:9-10; 2Tim.2:2, 14)

  Pedagogy may be interpreted as the ladder rungs of educating; Precept upon precept. Beginning with learning the ABCs of any topic being the primary example.

  I’m concerned that the lessons inherit to “remember Pearl Harbor” are no longer in the tidal wash of many in the American consciousness.

  Serious? Yes. But not so serious as the USA present day paucity of knowledge of Scripture. A knowledge that at one time contributed to protecting us from being duped by “Wonderful Bible quoting politicians”. Politicians, and some preachers and tele-evangelists, that manipulate an unknowledgeable congregation by twisting, fragmenting, misquoting, misapplying, non-contextually speaking God’s Word. A marketing ploy in appealing for the Christian consumer afflicted with consumption to buy their wares.

  And so it was with the courteous smiling Japanese diplomats speaking of and selling peace in distant Washington D.C. as the Rising Sun warplanes roared toward far and away Pearl Harbor. (And attacking the Philippines and elsewhere.)

  Beware! Be Biblically equipped. Recognize the ploying.

EBB4

 

666

  I haven’t thought about eschatology, “the study of what the Bible says is going to happen in the end times”, for quite a while. And I haven’t been asked for or provided pertaining information for longer than that. I’ve primarily been studying and providing Biblical guidance on how to mature in worshipful service pleasing to God. (Rom.12:1-3; 2Tim.2:1-2)

  What jogged me? Not so fast a pace. It was a slow walk as for the first time I trundled the city provided 96 gallon mechanically picked up trash and recycle containers to the curb. They having chips identifying that they are assigned to me. Or is it that I am assigned to them, they providing the weight of my consumption and possibly other info?

  So, I then read the essay below and am now passing it on to you for your thoughtful examination.

EBB4

GotQuestions.org "What is Christian Eschatology?"

  Eschatology is the study of what the Bible says is going to happen in the end times. Many treat Eschatology as an area of theology to be avoided. Of course, Eschatology is not as crucial as Christology or Soteriology. That does not mean, though, that it is unimportant to a Biblical worldview. How we understand Eschatology has an impact on how we should live our lives and what we are to expect to occur in God’s plan. Some important issues in Eschatology are these:
  What is the Rapture? The word "rapture" does not occur in the Bible. The concept of the Rapture, though, is clearly taught in Scripture. The Rapture of the church is the event in which God removes all believers from the earth in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured out on the earth during the Tribulation period.
  When is the Rapture going to occur in relation to the Tribulation? Will the Rapture occur before the Tribulation, at the middle of the Tribulation, or at the end of the Tribulation?
  What is the Second Coming and why is it important? Why is it so important for Jesus Christ to return? When is Christ going to return? What will be the signs of Christ’s return?
  Is the millennium literal or figurative? The fulfillment of many of God’s covenants and promises rest on a literal, physical, future kingdom. There is no solid basis to deny a literal understanding of the Millennial Kingdom and its duration being 1,000 years.
  Will the generation that saw Israel re-formed as a nation still be alive for the Second Coming? It is not Scriptural to teach that the generation that sees Israel become a nation will also see the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This may be the case, but Scripture does not specifically say so.
  The Bible describes a terrible period of tribulation in Revelation chapters 6-18. Will this Tribulation be preceded by the Rapture, will it conclude with the Rapture, or has it in fact already occurred? These different perspectives have a great impact on what we should be preparing ourselves for. Eschatology helps us to understand the Bible’s prophetic passages and how to live our lives in response to what God is going to do in the end times. There is a great deal of controversy in Eschatology, but that does not relieve us of our responsibility to study and understand what the Bible teaches about the end times. An understanding of Eschatology will eliminate many of the fears we have about the future. Our God is sovereign, He has a plan, and it will all unfold according to His perfect will and timing. This is a great encouragement to those who are in Christ!
  A key verse on Eschatology is Titus 2:13: "we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Recommended Resource: Understanding End Times Prophecy by Paul Benware

CLOISTERING BENEATH A BUSHEL

 

CLOISTERING BENEATH A BUSHEL

  Jesus is the light of the world, declaring “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. … As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.“ (Jn.8:12; 9:5)

  This same light he passed into those trusting Him, saying to His disciples, “Ye are the light of the world.” (Mt.5:14a; also note 1Cor.3:16)

  Jesus continued by saying that we are not to hide the light. We are to shine forth as beacons glorifying out Father. (Mt.5:15-16)

  As warned in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonicans, it is however possible for Christians to suppress the light. 1Thes.5:16-22) How so?

  I testify of 3 ways from my own historic actions:

·         Under certain circumstances, like Peter, being a closet Christian.

·         Times when I went along to get along.

·         Cloistering: Gravitating to and primarily associating with those of agreeable like belief religiously and politically. Doing so being contrary to Jesus’ example.

  During this time of popular enjoyable lighting, let’s be God’s lights . . . even if not popular or enjoyable.

EBB4

NO HURRY

 

NO HURRY

  2Corinthians 5:4-10 [Addressing the brethren, Paul explains] For we that are in this tabernacle [temporal body] do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 

  Hebrews [GW] 9:27 People die once, and after that they are judged. Likewise, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of humanity, and after that he will appear a second time. This time he will not deal with sin, but he will save those who eagerly wait for him. 

  I’ve received inquiries as to how I’m doing.

  This morning’s OW-H reports that in the past 9 months 1,018 Nebraskans have died from the COVID virus 38% of them in the month of November.

  Since the 3^rd week of February due to cautions public and private I’ve been sheltering with limited contact. A week ago it was discovered that I’d been in close contact with those having the virus. I immediately shifted from sheltering to quarantine so as not to be a possible spreader.

  Next came family urging to get tested. At first I resisted, saying, “Either I have it or not. Time will tell.”

  Then I reluctantly agreed, and felt relieved when in less than an hour the results were negative. Arriving home I discovered there’s an advanced test that’s more accurate. And that my virus contacts passed the first quick test but failed the more in-depth (pun intended) test. With this knowledge I requested the advanced test. I’m now still self-quarantining during the 48+ hour waiting period.

  Either way, like Paul, I’m ready to live serving the Lord, or die.

  The above declaration is not a boast on my goodness. (Rom.3:12, 23)

  I am thankfully boasting of God’s love and grace resulting in blessed assurance.

EBB4

STRRENGTH AT THE MOMENT THROUGH TRUST

 

STRENGTH AT THE MOMENT THROUGH TRUST   Philippians 4:13

  Corrie Ten Boom’s father, Casper, was a rock of Christian faith. When she and her sister were little girls he read FOXE’S BOOK OF MARTYRS to them. The thought of martyrdom troubled Corrie and she told her father that she feared death and she was sure she didn’t have the courage to die as a martyr.

  Her father asked “When you take the train trip to Amsterdam , when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?”

  “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.”

  “Thar’s right,” her father said; “and so it is with God’s strength. Our Father in heaven knows when you will need the strength . . . He will supply all you need just in time.”

  Remember dear brethren, we are pilgrims, sojourners, exiles. Our true home is in heaven.

EBB4