2024

Aging Gracefully

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

Teacher: And so we come to the end of this musing over life. My advice to you is to remember your Creator, God, while you are young: before life gets hard and the injustice of old age comes upon you—before the years arrive when pleasure feels far out of reach— before the sun and light and the moon and stars fade to darkness and before cloud-covered skies return after the rain. Remember Him before the arms and legs of the keeper of the house begin to tremble—before the strong grow uneasy and bent over with age—before toothless gums aren’t able to chew food and eyes grow dim. Remember Him before the doors are shut in the streets and hearing fails and everyday sounds fade away—before the slightest sound of a bird’s chirp awakens the sleeping but the song itself has fallen silent. People will be afraid of falling from heights and terrifying obstacles in the streets. Realize that hair turns white like the blossoms on the almond tree, one becomes slow and large like a gluttonous grasshopper, and even caper berries no longer stimulate desire. In the end, all must go to our eternal home while there are mourners in the streets. So before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is shattered: before the earthen jar is smashed at the spring and the wheel at the well is broken—before the dust returns to the earth that gave it and the spirit-breath returns to God who breathed it, let us remember our Creator. Life is fleeting; it just slips through your fingers. All vanishes like mist.   Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (Voice)

Don’t take your life too seriously; take time to enjoy yourself. Life goes by fast. These are words expressed to me in my mid-twenties by a mentor friend. Looking back I am thankful for his wise counsel. For life does go by fast.

The challenge I now face is the realization this body is slowly wearing out. Many of my friends and acquaintances are rusting out. I have been fortunate to have inherited good genes. Plus had a mother who reminded us each day the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Yet, the aging process isn’t for wimps.

The writer of Ecclesiastes summarizes the end of life as a process of wearing out. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. But he leaves us with one final thought before then. Remember our Creator.

He is not the first nor last Scripture writer to make that statement. You can look at the majority of all the other book authors and they leave you with the same theme. Remember your Creator.

Recall the times HE intervened for you. The times HE fulfilled HIS promises for you. The times HE carried you through the broken periods of your life. The times HE blessed you with your heart’s delight. The times HE showed HIS love for you. Yes, even the times HE disciplined you for your sake.

Remember.

As you remember, share those stories with your family members. Let your neighbors hear the same. When visiting friends and associates, let them know. Your life is a legacy of God’s workmanship. Let others know how HE intervened in your life. How HE made the difference in your life. How HE is the reason for your existence. How you found meaning and purpose in life through HIM.

Yes, as you age gracefully, remember your Creator. And remind others the same.   

  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Dust & Dirt

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”   Gen. 2:7

Woke up this morning and immediately began thinking about one’s mortality. I must have had a dream which now cannot recall. But the weight of the matter was so intense I had to immediately start writing.

Our self-awareness of age doesn’t become of prime importance until such a moment arises. A time which causes us to stop and face reality. Until then we go about doing what one does to stay alive. We work. We eat. We sleep. We go about our normal routine until death crosses our doorway.

When you are young, you feel invincible. But as you age, you begin to take note that some of your friends and associates are no longer with you. You begin to slow down. Your mind isn’t as sharp as it once was. Your muscles and vision slowly dissipate. You find yourself speaking more about the past rather than hoping in the future. You check the calendar for confirmation of today’s year and date. You can’t believe time has gone by so fast since your mother gave birth to you.

Life is precious. The older one becomes, the more one appreciates the work God is doing. He wants a family. An eternal family. As I have stated so often, life is a learning process preparing you for eternity. God has created humanity as part of the birthing process. Like the fetus in a mother’s womb, you and I are being nourished and prepared for birth into heaven’s dimension. This exterior body is being shed away. What will be exposed is the soul and spirit.

The resurrection of our bodies is the outcome of a new birth into a new age.

Our old body consists of chemicals from the earth. Our new bodies will be like Christ’s (1 Corinth. 15:49). As Jesus so often stated. What gives life is the spirit. The flesh without the spirit is dead. So why does it take a lifetime to realize this?

Looking back, my only wish is someone would have explained to me God’s purpose for creation. For birthing you and me. How everyday life takes you closer to either become more like HIM or less. We are HIS children. We are being prepared for HIS family business. We are learning to serve and lead like HIM. Knowing this makes one want to know HIM better. As we get to know HIM better, one’s desire is to become more like our heavenly Dad.

Sin is a religious term which simply means failing to live up to HIS ways. Grace though is HIS way of picking us up and repeating the process until we succeed. This life is a marathon race. As long as one keeps moving toward the finishing line, one wins. This is not because of our talents, skills, and abilities. But because of Jesus Christ’s victory. He has already included us in the winner’s circle.

Yes physical death comes to all. Until then, the only question pertains to our relationship with HIM. Are we ready to meet our heavenly Father?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Thy Kingdom Come

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.    Matthew 6:10

Do you want God’s Kingdom to come? Or do you consider this just another utopia for the foolish masses? Or are you one of those who says yes? But please not yet. You still want to marry, raise a family, build a career, and travel the world. But after that, sure. God’s Kingdom then is welcome to come.

The attitude is if it doesn’t interfere with my goals and desires, then do come. Yet some still want to finish college and grow up. But then again, if God’s Kingdom came sooner, you wouldn’t have to repay your student loans. So should God’s kingdom come sooner than later?

I remember those early days growing up. When culture bombarded us with the fear of immediate doom from nuclear holocaust. Then the media followed up with the potential ice age. They over indulged us that all civilization will be soon destroyed. Then came the loud shouting of the need to control human population. The world couldn’t keep feeding its people and soon we will all be starving to death. But this is now displaced by climate alarmist. They now picture a world of melted glaziers and flooded cities. The doom and gloom folks have been around at least since my birth.

But today there is a new issue. The noise is getting louder. Who will govern us? Will the western democracies continue to survive? There are those who say we all would be happier if we had a socialistic government and own no private property. Some who even suggest that a communistic government is the best way for a people to live. Some believe a theological authorial worldwide government may be best. They all have their pros and cons. But the best of the worst still remains a republic democracy until God’s Kingdom fully arrives. Why?

Under a democratic republic, one can live-out dual citizenship. Yes, one can than freely serve God’s Kingdom and the law of the land. But because there is religious freedom, God’s kingdom is allowed to grow.

In theory, yes. But is this true. God’s government also seems to flourish in those areas where freedom is being hindered. For example, the Church today is growing faster in countries like China and Iran. There the governments are anti-Jesus. So why the growth? Is it possible because when people are free, they are allowed to indulge in whatever they choose? Whereas citizens of an autocratic state are limited to express themselves. Is it possible when freedom is suppressed, the desire to be free is stronger? Ever notice how freedom without a strong Godly-center leads to self-destruction?

Yes, Jesus came and preached that the Kingdom of God is now available. You can now live under the umbrella of God’s Will. A place where your efforts are supported by HIS Grace. A life under the tutelage of Jesus and Spirit. A taste of heaven in your everyday world.

God’s government is not about control from the top-down. Instead, God’s way begins from the heart of a person. When HE is allowed to live within the human psyche, HE sets the standard. HIS laws are written within your heart. You then have freedom within boundaries. HIS attributes of love, joy, and peace are also present. They flow from God through you and touch those around you. You become an active citizen disbursing God’s character wherever you go.

You serve a benevolent King. Yet you are also a sibling in the family business – the Government of God. Your mission is to serve the King and HIS people. You are to set policies and programs which allow all people to flourish. You treat others the way you would like to be treated. Your purpose is to extend God’s Will wherever you go. God’s Kingdom is actively involved wherever you go. You are HIS ambassador.

God’s Kingdom limits human carnal nature and allows HIS Spirit to influence one’s behavior. This happens when one lives in a trustful relationship with their heavenly Father. They want all people to find real freedom and fulfillment in life. Yes, people fail. But God’s grace is extended. The inner drive of a citizen of God’s Kingdom is for what is best by God’s standard of righteousness and justice.

When Jesus’ Kingship is acknowledged. When HIS people yield to HIM and live out HIS vision for life. Then one begins to behold the impact HIS Kingdom has in their own life and those around them. This is when one’s prayer becomes more intentional for HIS kingdom to fully come on earth. Until then, we are most grateful to now experience the riches of living out HIS Kingdom ways each day in our small corner of the world.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved