When I'm 64

When we were first married, people would always ask me if Andy sang to me at home.  He sang professionally at the time and I guess they considered that the ultimate in romance.  Yes, he sang to me, but it was the nonsensical songs--not the dreamy-eyed songs.  Things like this Beatles song:

When I get older losing my hair,

Many years from now,

Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine?

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?

I was 19 and he was 25 when we got married.  I never dreamed at the time we'd ever get close to that age--64!  But tomorrow, Andy turns 60.  That really blows my mind.  Of course, most people don't look at Andy and think "60."  (And they don't look at me and think over 5 years younger!!  Shoot!)  And yet, here we are.  So I thought I'd blog the top 10 things I never expected when we got married (our 35th anniversary is September 27).

#10--Wrinkles, gray hair, age spots (I told my kids this week that no one ever told me that your toes actually wrinkle!  I intend to keep you apprised of the happenings of aging so that you're more prepared.)

#9--Bifocals

#8--Quitting cooking and cleaning  (We haven't quite reached the "cereal for dinner" stage, but almost) 

#7--The thinking "I've paid my dues" stage.  Actually, I might think it occassionally, but I haven't acted on it yet.  You might have to keep me accountable on this one.

#6--Dying parents

#5--Grandchildren (We have 7 with 1 more on the way!!)

#4--Falling asleep in a chair

#3--Snoring

#2--Paying $600/month for medications--and dreaming of medicare!

#1--Children over the age of 6!  (I remember my sister-in-law saying she didn't think she'd have teenagers when Jesus returned.  I never envisioned my children older than 6-years-old!  And now the majority of my grandchildren are older than that!!)

Happy 60th birthday, Andy!!  And yes...I'll still need you...and at least feed you cereal.
 

I love you more than ever!

The Constant One

If anything, life is uncertain. We never know what is going to come our way--it could be anything!!

But I praise you, God, that You are constant.  And You've told me  that I am to be full of joy in troubles, sufferings, hardships and afflictions.  You, the Constant One, have told me that.  That means the outcome is safely in Your hands.  You are using these things to produce endurance, character and hope.

Thank You for what You're building in me.  Thank You.  I submit to it.

Distinctiveness

I'm a little sad about something.  I'm seeing less and less distinctiveness among Christians.  Jesus told us to be the light of the world...to be in the world, but not of the world...to be holy as He is holy...

But what I see are Christians flirting with the world.  Instead of the world desiring what we have, I see Christians desiring what the world has.

Today, I read this in My Utmost for His Highest:
"Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God. Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before God, the words coming from your mouth, and every thought in your mind— placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself. Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life."

Mouth

Yes, I will go to any lengths for a visual image...

"But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]."  John 16:13

As my prayer partners & I prayed this morning, I had a new revelation from this verse.  Actually, it was during a time of discipline (from God, not my prayer partners).  I was being corrected about my desire to set everyone straight...because, of course, I am right and they are not. 

I was discussing how my gift can be a blessing or a curse--depending on if I'm walking in the Spirit or the flesh.  (And can't they all?)  But mine, particularly.  I was being reminded that Romans 12:12-21 has an order I need in my life.  I need to be praying, giving, being hospitable.  I need to bless those who persecute me.  I need to rejoice and weep with others.  My goal needs to be harmony, unity.  I should not overestimate myself.  I need to live at peace with others.  I need to leave the way open for God to do His own disciplining...kind of like I was getting at the moment.

And then came John 16:13. 

BAM!! 

If the Holy Spirit doesn't speak His own message on His own authority...(are you getting this?)...why do I think I can?  He only gives the messages the Father gives Him.  Wow!  Talk about submission.  Talk about respect.  Talk about agreement.  Talk about...what I need to do!

The week in Grandkids

This past Wednesday, Caitlin & Alexis came to spend the night---so their parents could celebrate their 9th anniversary.  That night, David, Ryan & Addie came so that David could rehearse with the choir and band at our church.  (David is leading worship at our church for 2 Sundays while our music minister is in Africa!)  I took these pictures that night.

This is Caitlin with her Uncle David.  He was repairing her laptop.

Addie was busy eating, but stopped to smile.

Ryan did the same.

Lexie posed for me, too.

Look at those beautiful dimples!!

Superman appeared and made many striking poses for the camera.

Alexis

Sisters...sisters...there were never such devoted sisters. (Most of the time)

The dreadful man appears and tries to bite off Superman's ear.

But Superman responds with an uppercut.  Wait!  Who is that unmasked man??  Clark Kent??

Alexis and her Dippin' Dots

Caitlin

Beautiful cousins--Alexis & Addie

Oswald Chambers

I thought this was so good today that I wanted to share it. BD

Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven —Luke 10:20


Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour “rivers of living water” through you ( John 7:38 ). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7 ).

Our tendency today is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make their request for help on the basis of someone’s usefulness. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure who ever lived. For the saint, direction and guidance come from God Himself, not some measure of that saint’s usefulness. It is the work that God does through us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that our Lord gives His attention to in a person’s life is that person’s relationship with God— something of great value to His Father. Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory . . .” ( Hebrews 2:10 ).

Inheritance

Did you know that we are Christ's inheritance?  "By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones)..."  Ephesians 1:18.  His inheritance is in us.

Have you ever received an inheritance?  Is there a family joke about what you hope NOT to get should someone die?  I received one once.  I had an extra set of grandparents in my life.  They were actually not related to us at all...but they were "chosen family."  I'd known them since I was 6 months old and we loved one another.  They left me their prized possession.  It was a china cabinet that my grandfather had made.  And it was....atrocious. ha!  I had no idea what to do with it.  It was handcrafted with a large scalloped (And I mean scalloped!) edge with a bad stain job.  In fact, I can't really remember what I did with it but my siblings loved that I got it!  I tried to give it to any of them but they insisted they knew MY name was on the back of it.  (I only wish I had time to tell you about my grandmother's cole slaw and my brothers...no wonder they weren't chosen for the prize!)

Now I know that Jesus doesn't feel about us like I did about that china cabinet.  But just knowing that I'm his inheritance throws a completely different weight on the idea.  How rich is His inheritance in me?