"The heart of God, His plan for His people in their later years, is that they continue to make a difference for their Lord in the church. Both older saints and the younger need to embrace this. Checking out from serving Christ before checking in to heaven should not be an option for any child of God." ~ Conclusion to an online article written by Forrest McPhail, Missionary

Thursday. Really? I, as an official representative talk to older people all the time. It comes with the territory so don't act so surprised. When I do talk I often get this response, "Oh, it's Thursday already, to tell you the truth I don't even keep up with what day it is anymore." See what I mean? Well, I have a wee bit of that myself, but, not enough to not know that today is Thursday, January 15, 2026, and, I bid each one a hearty hello from the occupant of the typing chair to wherever you happen to be. They tell us that older people struggle most with the activities associated with daily living. You know. Medicine. Taking care of basic personal matters, paying bills, keeping appointments. Things like that. As of this writing, subject to change at anytime, I have yet to experience the need for assistance in those areas, however, can I tell that I am headed in that direction? I would have to say yes but that destination is still a coming attraction at this time. I am thankful to God for that and my heart goes out to those who are dealing with aging issues. The Bible tells us that we are to run the race given to us, not the one given to the other fellow. Here's how it reads from the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 12, Verses 1-2, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." I may be in the slow lane now because of my age, but, I am still in my race. As the old preacher always said, "When you see therefore, make sure you understand what it is there for." Having just finished reading Chapter 11, the Faith Hall of Fame Chapter, the inspired writer says 'we also'. That means those believers in Jesus who received that text back then and by extension it also means believers like you and I today. So, my next stop has an 80 on it, but, that doesn't mean my race is finished. I feel like at times I'm in the proverbial 'forgot to say may I' game because I end up having a penalty requiring me to restart my lane. Sorry. That's just me. But, the truth says get up and go again, yep, keep running the race given to you with endurance, at least all that you have at this time, and, that endurance comes by looking to Jesus. Let me sum it up this way. My arthritic hips get on fire when I take a one block walk with Lil Miss Biscuit. Yet, I can still run the race of the spiritual life I have been given by the grace provided to me from my Savior. Okay. So, I will be the first to admit today's writing comes out somewhat discombobulated, but, I think you get my point: Regardless, keep on keeping on in the life race given to you by the Lord. Amen. 

 

When I am in a group of senior citizens who are truly citizens of heaven the discussion so often is all about what we could do in the past. Some of those testimonies are wonderful and we need to not only hear about them but learn from them. At the same time, we are in the here and now and can only do now what we are able to do, but, we must not sit down and say it's time for someone else to get the job done. No. We still can do what we can do. God knows that better than we do. We want to hand down the faith but to do that the way it should be done means we continue in the faith. The first Sunday of this brand new year, we had the going strong 88 year old visiting preacher in our pulpit, Bro. Dr. Jerry Vines. He spoke fluidly and without hesitation from The Word of God, and, the Spirit of God moved and produced results in the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls. That encouraged me. I share it to encourage others. Let's keep on doing what we are still able to do. We can still pray. We can still encourage others. We can still give of our time, our talent, our treasure, and, of our testimony. We can. We really can. Find your race lane and keep on running. Amen.