Hope-Full Living

In my latter years as a teenager, I wondered why my mother sat at the kitchen table late at night, while I was watching television. When I finally asked her, she said she was talking to God. As senior adults in retirement, the Lord has granted you the blessing of “extra time.” Whether it’s the first thing in the morning or the last thing in the evening, carve out some time to talk with the Lord. A...

Early in my ministry, a young missionary shared Hebrews 13:5-6 with me. She said that it helped her through many difficult times in her life. From that point on, this passage became my favorite because I, too, found times when I was afraid or felt all alone. I would then remember this passage and who made the promise. The promise was from God himself. I am not alone. He is with me. He promises to...

Such a beautiful tree is the white-flowering Bradford pear! Though often used in landscaping, I was surprised to hear that it is an invasive species. A rural field trip convinced me; scattered haphazardly were Bradfords of varied sizes. You may remember the Revelation 2:10 passage above from junior Confirmation days. It is useful for those with much life ahead of them or much life behind them. Jus...

When we plant a garden or flower bed, one thing that we do not want to grow abundantly is weeds. When they appear, we either pull them out or spray them to kill them. Paul, in writing to the Christians at Thessalonica, praised them for their faith “growing abundantly” and their love for each other. In 2 Peter 3 we are encouraged to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Chris...

For years I have struggled to become more humble. I am now proud of how humble I have become! (What foolishness!) Isn’t it part of our sinful humanity to want to make us look good? We can fool ourselves, but not our Lord. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that our best efforts are “polluted rags,” surely nothing to boast about. The Gospel of the Cross on the other hand assures us that our Savior has taken ou...

This David is the man who became a mighty King of Israel. God called him a man after his own heart. David never lost his zeal for God. He sinned in many ways, but never failed to turn to God for all his needs, especially his need for forgiveness. When we maintain our faith in God and turn to him for the forgiveness of our sins, we too, become men and women after God’s own heart. It was David’s fai...

“Age is just a number,” says my friend at our Bible study. And while that is true, that number of years can fill us with so many emotions like wonder, regret, or gratitude. The psalmist acknowledges that our time on earth is limited. We reach a birthday, and the number of years brings a regretful response: “How did I ever get to be so old?” “I am outliving my mother, my father!” Looking back, it’s...

My life has included trials. Perhaps the most challenging have been times of loss. As a senior, I am increasingly having to say goodbye to family, friends, and others who have reached the end of their earthly journey. On these occasions, I try not to dwell on my grief, but to console those who share my sadness. Reminded of my own mortality, I sometimes worry about the signs of my own aging. I feel...

My father-in-law was a gifted artist. He used his gifts his whole life. He did not retire from using them. He gave God the glory for this gift. He painted to praise God. Every good and perfect gift from God comes in various forms. But we are ALL gifted. Oh yes, believe it. You are a gift. God gives you to your world of family, friends, church, and community. Your prayers, compassion, friendship, a...

2 Corinthians 6:1 says, “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” Even if we only sit and talk with others, we can tell the story of God’s love for us. You can be, or already are, a co-worker with him. Just think, he wants you to work with him! Eternity with God is his gift for all who believe. As St. Paul says, “We, though many, are one body in C...