I don’t like the taste of coffee, but the Maxwell House people sure make me wish I did.  Anything that’s good enough to enjoy to the last drop is worth getting in on.  A life well-lived is like that. Some people hang up their spurs in the middle of the rodeo; others go out with their boots on, sitting in the saddle.  Some shrivel up on the vine; others save their sweetest fruit for the final picking.  Christians should make the most of their days –all of them.  Moses wrote, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). [Look it up and see what is written under the chapter division]

Some of God’s greatest servants did their best work after thy were increased in years.  Noah built a boat when he was six hundred years; Abraham and Sarah were almost a century old when they put the first diaper on a boy named Isaac; and Moses was eighty when God tapped him to head up the exodus.  It is interesting that though Moses made excuses, he never tried to excuse himself because he was too old (Ex. 4:10).  Caleb was eighty-five years old when he asked for permission to push the giants off “his “ mountain (Numbers 14:24).  Most eight-five-years-olds want to stay off mountains, but Caleb wanted to live on one! Granted, Caleb was in good health, which means a lot, but his attitude was an ambitious as a twenty-year old. Anna was a widow of about fourscore and four years when she served God with fasting and prayers night and day in the temple (Luke 2:36). Paul was still active though “aged” (Philemon 9; 2 Tim. 4:6-8) and gave both “aged” and women work to do (Titus 2:2-3).

One of the greatest challenges facing today’s church is harnessing the talents and energies of its senior members.  The shelving of people in the sixties, seventies, and eighties (including preachers and elders) is a tragedy.  In most congregations, brethren over 65 comprise the greatest potential work force for Christ.  These members have had time to develop their faith and humility; they have (usually) outgrown the need to be noticed; they have wisdom to know how to get a job done without wasting effort and time; they have learned to get along with people. From a practical perspective, medical advances have added health to their years.  Early retirements have become commonplace and they have been released from oppressive work schedules.  There is no longer a ringing alarm, no hectic rush to punch the time clock, and no imposed regimen of activity.  They are free to do what they want, when they want.  Their children no longer demand the majority of their attention or the bulk of their money. (Though grandchildren need some time!) They can achieve more for Christ in these years than ever before.

Jacob used every drop of his life.  He died worshipping God and blessing others (Hebrews 11:21). “The righteous…shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:12-14).  No matter how many birthday lie behind you, it is the time that is ahead that counts.

Allen Webster

YOU MIGHT BE IN A COUNTRY CHURCH IF…

The church here seems to be a good combination of “country” and “city” church, but it never hurt to laugh at ourselves a little.

1. The call to worship is, “Y’all come on in!”
2. People wonder when Jesus fet the 5,000 whether the two fish were bass or catfish.
3. The preacher says, “Bubba come help with the offering” – and five guys stand up.
4. The restroom is outside.
5. Opening day of deer hunting season is recognized as an official church holiday.
6. A member request to be buried in his four-wheel drive truck because, “I ain’t never been in a hole it couldn’t get me out of.”
7. Never in its entire 100 year history has one of its preachers had to buy any meat or vegetables.
8. The church directory doesn’t have last names.
9. Four generations of one family sit together in worship every Sunday.
10. The only time people love their cars in the parking lot is during the summer and then only so their neighbors can’t leave them a bag of squash.
11. There is no such thing as a “secret” sin.
12. You miss worship one Sunday morning and by 2 o’clock that afternoon you have had a dozen phone calls inquiring about your health.