Hope-Full Living

We know all about being forgetful. In fact, as we grow older, we become quite an expert at it. Sometimes we forget minor things, like the location of the car keys. We know, too, that there can be more serious and frightening episodes of forgetfulness, but it is surprising to hear that God forgets. God, who knows all things, announces His own eternal episode of forgetfulness. For the sake of His ow...

When days pass slowly, my mind wanders back to mistakes I’ve made: disloyalty, hurtful words and deeds, and much worse. Why can’t we forget the wrongs we have done? Perhaps we do not clearly see how our loving God forgives us. “... as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12; “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow”...

I have found God’s loving plans for me in my life, even when I could not see them. I had to change high schools between my Junior and Senior years. I wanted to go to one school because of a girl I was dating, but I was not in that district. The school I was required to go is where I met my wife of 58 years. I had the opportunity to stay in the Air Force, but God led me not to. If I had reenlisted,...

A friend I cherished signed off her notes and messages with “Peace and Joy.” I liked that because it attested to her faith, but also because these are gifts only God can give. On human terms, we see peace as the opposite of strife, calm after a storm. Earthly peace falls apart even though we have treaties and promises. God’s peace takes away sin which separates us from Him. He forgave by giving us...

The concept of faith takes many forms in our daily lives. One afternoon in my youth, I played football with friends. I called a pass play. Dropping back, I estimated my friend Jimmy’s running speed, direction, and distance. Then I threw the ball to an intersection spot. He made the reception and scored. Jimmy believed that if he took the proper route, I would, as promised, throw him the ball. For...

Oblivious to coming events, our youth group crammed into an old school bus headed to an out-of-state park. On a deserted stretch of interstate, the bus died. With no air conditioning and little breeze, we slowly melted. Pre- cellphone days compelled three of us to hike to a distant store. About halfway there, I froze, stifled a scream, and pointed to a human leg. Close inspection revealed a prosth...

Opportunities abound that bring me much joy in retirement! I know it’s because I have a hard time saying “no,” and yet, many requests interest me. So, how can I say no? I’m blessed with a “can do” personality and relatively good health. Thankfully, through the many ups and downs in these seven decades of life, my Good Father has walked lovingly and steadfastly beside me. Indeed, there were also ma...

Smack dab in the middle of 1 Corinthians, in an obscure place, I found PEACE. Paul’s letter disseminates instructions on marriage, divorce, unbelief, circumcision, virginity, and slavery. Wow, there’s peace among all that? YES! In the verse above. Isn’t “peace” a funny thing as we age? We find it on Christmas cards, Advent banners, and on the nightly news regarding foreign nations. However, we do...

When you see the picture of Jesus carrying a lamb, it may evoke a tenderness — Jesus the Good Shepherd. Have you seen some of the newer paintings of Jesus carrying a full- grown sheep? As that image comes to you now, it’s something a bit different, isn’t it? Maybe you consider His strength to lift the weight. Maybe your mind wonders if this older sheep has been wounded. Maybe you ponder the longer...

Promises can be easy to make, but promises are not always easy to keep. When I was a kid, I made promises that I never intended to keep. “I promise to clean my room when I get home.” “I promise to mow the yard.” I suffered because of these unkept promises. Wouldn’t it be tragic if the promises our God gives us were not kept by Him? In times of weakness or challenge, God promises and provides stren...

As we embark on another football season, every fan knows that one of the most painful things to happen to your team is a fumble, dropped pass, or interception. Everything was going great and then — disaster! This is something we don’t need to worry about in our spiritual life. Our life with God in eternity cannot be snatched away, because it’s in the hands of Jesus, our sure-handed Savior. As we g...

My wife’s uncle loved to sing before meals, so my wife’s favorite mealtime prayer is “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow.” Before they have snacks, our VBS children often request to sing the Johnny Apple Seed prayer, “Oh, the Lord’s been good to me.” As for me, my favorite is the Common Table Prayer, “Come Lord Jesus, be our Guest.” Our grandson’s favorite mealtime prayer is a bit unusual as...

“Hindsight is 20/20,” my friend complained. “Now I can see the inevitable results of my poor life choices.” Hindsight isn’t necessarily negative. As we look back at our lives from the vantage point of old age, we can see God working for our eternal good in situations that seemed disconnected, senseless, even hurtful. A chance meeting led to a lasting friendship, an illness made us aware of the suf...

What gives you strength as a senior? Aging does not have to be a time of misery and complaining. Aging can be a period of growth, engagement, and fulfillment. While God may not miraculously change your own circumstances in life, He does give us the strength to face the difficulties that are in front of us. God gives each of us strength and power beyond our own capabilities. As a senior, finding gr...

Our Lord promises a better life when we turn to Him for answers! Our newly adopted dog behaved unpredictably. I prayed I could return her. However, God convinced me she would make us laugh. Daily, I find myself wondering what’s best. Dare I join that committee? How would I transition to grey hair? Should I call that neighbor now? Which encounter with the Holy Spirit will I share in the next issue...

See, you’re not old. In fact the older you get the sappier you are! And greener too. Those who don’t know better might even mistake you for the Hulk. But you have a better source for your identity: none other than the inspired truth of God in the Psalms. The longer you age, the more you shake and rattle, and the more your role as a believer and doer of God’s work changes. You might be unable to li...

I’m one of those people who wishes away the heat of summer in favor of a warm spring day or a cool autumn one. Yet God uses the seasons — all of them — to remind me that He’s fully in control of my world. When I experience other types of seasons — spiritual, relational, and physical ones, I can apply God’s promise to these as well. Whether I’m experiencing a dark depression, a dry spiritual time,...

Look around the world and what do you see? The beauty of the sky, the grandeur of the mountains, and the splendor of the lakes. All of these attests to God’s glory, majesty, and power. Yet, we also see brokenness, tragedy, wars. This is enough to make even Christians question if God is still in control. Instead of despair and hopelessness, open your Bible. It is full of God’s promises to us. Thoug...

A bright sparkling diamond is quite beautiful, and a gift of a diamond ring, necklace, or bracelet expresses love to the person receiving the gift. This is especially true when it is given as an expression of love or an engagement to a future bride. God has given us a treasure that has more beauty than a sparking diamond, namely, His son. Yes, we cannot see or touch the beauty, but by daily readin...

Aging can be quite a challenge. Many of us have experienced some unsettling changes in the past year. In the midst of all of the changes and challenges of life that can diminish our Christian joy and peace, there is one thing we don’t have to worry about. We know, by faith and the assurance of God’s trustworthy Word, that our salvation has been fully accomplished for us by Christ. When we pray wit...

During a time when illness sapped my strength, I languished in my prayer chair. It faced the familiar aged oaks out the window. “Lord, I’m feeling useless. I don’t like this idleness!” My eyes fell again on the trees. Though they stood stock-still, I could see the evidence that the sap ran. They were slowly but surely breathing, stretching, producing leaves. I sensed a gentle answer: I, the Lord,...

Most of us likely have a medicine cabinet filled with medications, so why does this Old Testament wise man, King Solomon, propose that we get one more medicine? Because he is wise as he compares a joyful heart to a crushed spirit. He prescribes that we experience life with a joyful heart. The New Testament follower of Jesus, Paul, gives the Philippians and us the reason we can have a joyful heart:...

There have been many times in my life when I’ve heard the word, “No.” Can I stay up later? May I buy a new dress? Those requests are rather insignificant. But as we age, some of the “Nos” are more upsetting and impactful. No, you can’t walk without a cane. No, you can’t stay alone in your house anymore. Our earthly bodies begin to dictate our lifestyle. There is hope, though. Hope in the “Yes” of...

“Retired.” “Washed-up.” “Out to pasture.” You know the snide-folk wisdom. When the years of work are done, the desk is cleaned out, and you can sleep in on a workday, the expectation is that all that awaits is a rocking chair on the front porch and a wistful drifting off into oblivion. “Not so!” says the Psalmist. You’re launching into another era of discipleship, no matter what your station in li...

I recently lifted a box that I thought was light enough to carry. Two days later, I developed low back pain. The box had been too heavy. I quickly asked my doctor for a referral to a physical therapist. I needed to learn some exercises to stretch my muscles. Because of their knowledge and concern for patients, I trusted these medical professionals. I knew that they could restore my health. In a si...