Forever Young

 





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. Psalm 103:4-5


What is the infatuation with youth?
Marketing experts try to look for the perfect models to sell their products. Most often life is depicted as a fun haven for those 50 and under. Older people matter too and are often overlooked by young hot shots who at times don’t want to ‘trouble the old man’. 

With age comes wisdom. You may stereotype ‘seniors’ as slow and old and that is truly not fair. The brain is still working and more times than not many of them feel devalued or useless after they retire. There is nothing in God’s word about joining a club for mature adults and kicking back with pickle ball till you are called home. 

If you are ‘mature’ go back to work if you want to. Younger managers hire those older citizens as they have life experiences that are quite invaluable. Find volunteer work where your skills can make a difference. Try a new hobby or take a class. Hey write a book. 🤔If you are blessed to be welcome in your grandchildren’s lives make an impact there. Go and rest and know God is not finished with you yet. 

PRAYER: I thank you for people young and old. Every life matters to you even those society would cast off. Help me to be brave to try new things and live life with gusto. Use me to impact someone. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Encounters

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Matthew 7:12 ESV 

I am blessed to get to travel on planes about once a month. I always try to smile at people especially those with frowns. And engaging in conversation is rewarding too if a person is willing to talk or they start talking first. 

Often times if you aren’t looking down at your phone you can meet interesting people. Engaging is important as people these past two years have been so isolated often to the point of needing mental health therapy. 

If you want to be a friend you have to show yourself friendly. Be the one who extends the invite for coffee or lunch and maybe even the old school way of actually in your own home which seems to have almost disappeared. Be aware there are people out there needing a friend. You never know who the Lord will place in your path. 

PRAYER: I am grateful to be able to meet others and enjoy smiling and encouraging others. Sometimes I need encouraged so bring me an encounter when it is needed. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Is Greater!

 

God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?Numbers 23:19

What is bothering you? Do you feel overwhelmed with something in your life that you almost feel stuck or how are things going to change and get better?Sometimes things are like that. I know I have been there and am sort of there right now. 

Hang on to the rope my friend. God is holding the other end and he loves you and wants you to trust he is way bigger than anything coming against you or someone you are praying for. 

Try to be still. That is very hard I know personally. No matter if you feel there is no way out you messed up too bad there always is. 

PRAYER: This is the day you have made and I choose to rejoice. I give you the praise even when things go wrong. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Spinning Plates

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV Bible Gateway

If you aren’t a baby boomer you probably have no idea what I am referring to in spinning plates. Well Ed Sullivan frequently has plate spinners on his Sunday eveningvariety show who would attempt to see how many plates they could spin on a tiny pole atone time. 

Do you ever feel like your life is a spinning plates? Let’s  say you post or text something not meant to hurt anyone and out of the woodwork come all these offended people. Or you just can’t say no to things and find yourself swamped with commitments and your own life on top of it. 

The one thing that is certain is God’s love for you and his understanding of your concerns. Do you have a burden weighing you down my friend. I know I have a few I wrestle with and ask God to sustain me. Whatever it is go to Him and have a talk(pray) and then trust He will help. 

PRAYER: Each day is a new day with fresh challenges and I ask for help to resist the attacks and onslaught of Satan who tries so hard to trip believers up especially when they are having healing or victory. Help me stand strong and others I know facing challenges. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

The Storms Of Life

 

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.Nahum 1:7

 

Recently here in Idaho we had a nice thunderstorm after no rain since May. It was wonderful. Storms of life aren’t always wonderful nor something you look forward to.

 

The ‘storm’ could be a scary medical diagnosis. Being rejected by a long time friend. Perhaps a relational storm or some sort. God is there and will be your shelter. 

Often you may not understand what is going on or why things occur as they do but after these ‘storms’ subside you more than likely start seeing the silver lining of why they were necessary.

 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the lessons I learn and how I grow during the temporary storms of life. I choose patience and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Turn Heads This School Year

 



Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.Rather, it should be that of your inner self,the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.1 Peter 3:3-4

It is that time again when consumerism takes center stage to make school age children feel they have to have a certain look to be ‘cool’ at school. One ad said to ‘Turn Heads’ so I used it for title. 

If you are not supposed to worry what others think and attempt to pass that on to the next generation you have to combat this line of thinking of ‘look at me’ and instead try to cultivate the importance of the inner man and spiritual walk. Yes hard I know in homes where TV and computer pop up ads grab the attention of girls especially. 

You can not let this present culture shape the youth. Children can be mean to be sure and the ‘world’ is all about appearance and titles so you have to seek God daily and ask for guidance in combating this earthly force. 

PRAYER: Father help the parents of this nation to be wise in decisions and help me to not follow this culture. Give me strength. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

Weeds?

The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.Matthew 13:22

Don’t you just hate weeds? You try for a pristine green smooth golf course looking lawn then out of nowhere here they come. 

Life has its’ weeds too in that you are chugging right along and then poof, a ‘weed’ aka spiritual test,  comes along. It could be in the form of bad news, hurt feelings, confusion, an answer to prayer that seemingly backfired, relational issues. 

Don’t give up. Keep praying as that chokes the devils plans to disrupt your life. Never quit believing and for certain don’t stop your morning quiet time. 

PRAYER: I know the Bible is the best weed killer ever getting deep into my spirit when I read it and apply it and as I soak in the truths I can combat any choking weeds the enemy tries to invade my peaceful ‘garden’ with. Give me strength to press in. In Jesus’ name. Amen.