Looking Out for the Interests of Others

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

It's so easy to get caught up in looking out for our own interests. I know it is meant more broadly, but I like to interpret 'others' to mean those who might otherwise be viewed as competitors. It's becomes a great reminder that we're all in this together. A 2:4 One special!

Directing a nonprofit has its challenges, and it's sometimes easy to focus only on how we will strategically move YES! Young Enough to Serve forward. Will we financially break even this month? Who might write a review on Amazon for Half Two? What church will invite us to speak? Who might we add to our board of directors? How will we expand our outreach?

Taking this Philippians passage to heart causes us to shift our attention beyond YES! and to think about other ministries' needs ... other nonprofits facing similar struggles. Immediately, I thought of books in our ministry field that I've read, appreciated, but hadn't yet reviewed. That was easy ... I just went to their Amazon pages and added reviews on a couple of them.

YES! is focused on the kingdom potential of adults over fifty, so let's remember to think about others under fifty. We're on the West Coast, so let's prayerfully consider others' needs and opportunities on the East Coast. We are US missionaries; let's look out for missionaries serving in other countries. We have strong ties to our denomination, so let's show concern for churches and ministries outside our denomination.

This isn't meant to be just a theoretical mind-bender. Let's put it into action.

Host a High Tea

Here's a fun, timely May 2018 idea my wife Judy wants to share with you. It's more targeted to women, but guys can help with this, too. We like that it's doable for many older adults, an opportunity to practice hospitality, and a simple way to bless other ministries from coast to coast. Because of the royal family connection, Judy will focus her tea on gathering items for Royal Family Kids' Everybody's Birthday boxes, but you can pick some other cause near and dear to your heart.

A Godly Leader's Legacy

“Write to me at Billy Graham, Minneapolis, Minnesota.”

Wow, how cool was that? Just his name, city and state. If we could only figure out how to spell Minneapolis!

Obviously, ‘America’s pastor’ was revered for more than his earthly mailing address. He helped change the eternal address of millions of people around the world through a profoundly simple, compassionate proclamation of the gospel—and a call to decision.

JUST AS I AM WITHOUT ONE PLEA…

“If you have friends, they’ll wait.” Of course, what could be more important than waiting a few extra minutes while a friend prayed at the altar to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him as Lord?

A friend and counselor to twelve US presidents. That, too, was impressive.

But beyond his address, eloquence, and influence, we love the humility and integrity of this great Christian leader.

Early on, Billy Graham recognized that American evangelists had been commonly sidetracked by scandal in three primary outside-the-pulpit areas: sex, money, and power. Beyond personally resolving to not fall into these traps, Rev. Graham insisted on ministry paradigm shifts to further protect himself from these pitfalls.

It’s hard to think of a more trustworthy man than Billy Graham, yet he insisted on having safeguards in place to keep himself from sexual compromise, financial greed, and the corrupting influence of unbridled power.

We, too, need to set limits and welcome accountability, like Billy Graham did, to help us and those we serve stay on a fruitful path. We are not immune from alluring temptations that might derail us.

Thank God for the integrity of both the message and the messenger!

May God impress on all of us that it’s not just His Word coming from our lips that commands respect. It’s also our living out lives that match up with His Word.

Both Billy and his wife Ruth chose to be buried in simple pine plywood caskets built by prisoners from the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Even in death the Grahams made choices highlighting the redeeming love of Jesus.

In some ways it’s the end of an era. But may we learn much from the legacy of this strong, integrous, and humble Christ-follower.

Sideline Celebration!

As we talk about older adult potential, we sometimes hear this admonishment: “Don’t settle for the sidelines. Get back on the field.”

But men over fifty are not likely to make their way back to the NFL's playing field. Oakland Raiders' legendary kicker and quarterback, George Blanda, retired just shy of his 49th birthday. No NFL player has outlasted Blanda … yet.

Tom Brady, at forty, is well beyond the typical QB retiring age. We love seeing these decades-younger ‘older athletes' excel, still young enough to lead their teams to victory ... or come awfully close.

We know longevity in professional sports is different than life, but there comes a time when the sidelines become a better fit than the playing field. While no one shows up for a game just to watch the sidelines, there is a whole lot of meaningful activity going on just beyond those out-of-bounds markers.

Cameras will often shift attention to the sidelines to focus on an inspiring coach, an injured player, athletic trainers, other players reviewing plays and waiting for their opportunity go back on the field. And camera operators themselves don’t set foot on the playing field during the game. Most of us wouldn’t see the game without those off-field cameras.

I like how YES! supporter Phil Oates framed it in his endorsement of Half Two, “Retirement does not mean sitting on the sidelines. Slowing down does not mean stopping.”

We know some people bemoan the fact that they’re no longer in the limelight, no longer a key on-the-field player. But off the playing field doesn’t mean God is finished with us. There are so many key, vitally important roles waiting for us—off the field.

This past Sunday’s Super Bowl was personally exciting and meaningful. Until the 2017 season, I’ve never been an Eagles fan. But when Nate Sudfeld joined their roster earlier this season, I suddenly found myself rooting for this East Coast team. Nate is the son of Ralph and Michelle Sudfeld. Michelle served on our YES! board of directors for three years. Nate’s grandfather, Bob Pagett, is the former pastor of Christian Life Center, our home church. He and his wife, Char, are founders of Assist International.

Nate was the backup quarterback to Nick Foles, MVP of this year’s Super Bowl. While Nick got most of the accolades Sunday, sideline quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Nate Sudfeld knew their roles were significant, too. While valiantly leading the Eagles to the playoffs, Wentz had a season-ending injury in December, causing Foles to step from the sidelines onto the playing field. 24-year-old Nate stood on the sidelines, offering encouragement and support, fully engaged and ready if needed to take center stage in professional football's premiere event.

All three Eagle quarterbacks are deeply committed Christians, and their faith helps shape how they live both on and off the field.

This photo from the Daily News in Philadelphia captures yesterday’s parade, with Nick Foles passing the Vince Lombardi trophy to Carson Wentz, while Nate Sudfeld takes a pic of the huge crowd. Only one of these three quarterbacks took a snap Sunday, but they were all an integral part of the team … and will be wearing the Super Bowl ring.

Seeing Ralph and Michelle’s excitement over their son’s involvement on the 2018 World Champions team reinforces for me how important sideline roles can be.

God may not have you on the playing field right now. But know you still have an important role to play. It may be on the sidelines. It may be in the stands. Stay alert … stand if you are able. Celebrate being on the winning team. God is not finished with us yet!

May Our Character Line Up with Our Prayers!

We were recently blessed to attend the baby dedication of our first granddaughter, Hadley Grace Wick, at National Community Church in Washington, D.C.

We appreciated how the pastor asked Jonathan & Emily ahead of time to identify five characteristics they’d love the Lord to instill in Hadley.

They listed: Compassion, Humility, Bravery, Generosity, and Authenticity. While Hadley is a bit young to comprehend this prayer, you can be sure these qualities reflect what our kids want their own lives to exhibit—and it’s what they’re hoping to see in us as well.

We love how God works up and down the generational chain, using our kids and grandkids to challenge us to live lives worthy of respect. This generation to generation thing isn’t only moving from oldest to youngest. God wants to use younger adults, teens, children, even babies—to continue building His character in us.

Yes, Hadley will learn lots over the years from her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. But when it comes to character, much more is caught than taught. May WE, too, live compassionately, humbly, bravely, generously, and authentically!

What are five qualities you want to characterize your life?

New Year Resolve

Many of us have grown accustomed to a New Year’s first few weeks. Sometimes a hopeful-new-then-disappointing pattern surfaces … when optimism and good intentions quickly collide with old habits and reality.

Early January resolutions come with firm resolve that this year will truly be different … only to upset the applecart just days or weeks later by succumbing to familiar shortcomings.

So …  we miss a day on our 5-or-10K-step Fitbit goal; our TV-watching creeps above our new maximum threshold; we eat more than we should; we miss a day of Bible reading; we unnecessarily correct our spouse.

Of course, we know we should get right back in the saddle after getting knocked off our New Year’s prize show horse. But that once-invigorating saddle climb can feel a little less exhilarating the second and third time around. Self-doubt weighs us down as we struggle to get our feet back in the stirrups.

Truth is, we are called to daily pick up our cross and live for Christ. It’s a daily walk, not an annual pilgrimage.

We find that encouraging. Let’s not beat ourselves up over yesterday’s missteps. Let’s do better right now … today. “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

Even with occasional setbacks, let’s stay optimistic as we face this new year.

Let's set some good goals and live lives that count.  May God bless you each new day in 2018!

Second Sunday Lunches

Sometimes dreams take a while.

As you may know, one of our dreams with YES! has been to more intentionally connect generations.

We see value in peer relationships, but we also see how vital beyond-peer relationships are, too.

We don’t like the idea of choosing one over the other, but sometimes our personal bandwidth forces us to prioritize, at least in the short term.

This month at our home church, Christian Life Center, we initiated our Second Sunday lunches, combining college students with adults over fifty. With about eighty in attendance and with a host of college students eagerly wanting to get to know more seasoned adults, we couldn’t have been more thrilled with how this first experimental lunch worked out.

With Scripture to back us up, we knew we couldn’t sit idle and just focus on only more of the same. We had to move in on nurturing these relationships between generations.

As expected, we were fortunate to bring in many more adults in the 50-70 age range and students, who were unable to attend our Thursday lunches because of employment, schooling, and other commitments.

Many adults have commented on the sincere interest these college students have displayed toward adults decades older. Many of these students are Asian, and we are frankly not accustomed to such warm respect.

When we share stories in other churches about how these students are so intent on making these connections with older adults, many heads nod, affirming how right this is.

We long to see that same eagerness coming from older adults, asking how they might connect more effectively with younger people. As we see this happening, our heads nod, affirming how right this is.

While still in embryonic stages, please pray this fervent love and zeal between generations will spill over to many other churches. And we hope to continue nurturing the relationships our adults have with their peers as well.

May both flourish!

Prepared

The storms of life. Some minor, and some catastrophic, as we’ve recently witnessed with Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Irma in Florida, and Maria in Puerto Rico. Praying, too, for the earthquake victims in Mexico, Las Vegas shooting victims’ families, and now the fires closer to home, here in California.

A huge thousand-year, Texas-size storm brings perspective. Our hundred-year storm from last year now seems tame and minor in comparison. But God cares about us amid the big and smaller storms of life.

We, along with you, are praying for God’s provision in the lives of those affected by these horrific storms, floods, earthquake, and fires, along with the many people who are helping in the rescue, cleanup, and restoration efforts.

In both Matthew and Luke we read that the coming of the Son of Man will be like it was in the days of Noah.

People were going about business as usual, and suddenly the day of reckoning was upon them. With no meteorologists, weather satellites, or CNN news reporters to warn them, these people who had scoffed at Noah’s incredible ark project found themselves drowning without recourse.

Let’s not think we’re more sophisticated and that we’ll be able to buy some time, preparing at the last minute to get our lives in order spiritually. Let’s be prepared for Christ’s return, which could happen before you reach the next paragraph or in the distant future. Truth is, His coming has never been closer than right now.

We see some people who fail to heed the storm warnings and we think, “how foolish.” But let’s look at our own lives, and ask God to help us heed every warning from Him.

One such warning appears in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Warn those who are idle and disruptive.” In the present, idleness may seem innocent and harmless, but when storms hit we can see idle living’s disruptive result. As God gives us strength, let’s run from idleness, and stay prepared for future storms.

And thanks for your part in challenging others to prepare their hearts now for Christ’s imminent return.

The Gift of Hospitality

Hospitality. What a fun gift to exercise in these summer months.

With so much needed emphasis on the first word in the Great Commission, GO, we can sometimes lose sight of ministry possibilities literally in our own backyard.

For some, the ‘get up and go’ already got up and went. The going diminishes, from Go-Go to Slow-Go and finally to No-Go. In life’s final stages, our living radius is much closer to home--- or our homes move to environments with better physical access and amenities.

Of course, hospitality requires some effort. When people struggle to maintain, it’s difficult to even think about entertaining others in their home.

We may think of lavish, home-cooked meals and nicely decorated tables as synonymous with hospitality. But it’s not a gift reserved for home economics majors, Pinterest enthusiasts, or younger adults with boundless energy.

Hospitality starts in our hearts, as we make room for Jesus and others to enter our lives and make themselves at home.  If we wait until our lives or homes are perfect, we miss the point and miss out on lots of opportunities to share the love of Christ.

We are blessed to live in an area of the country people enjoy visiting. We love hosting out-of-town guests and local friends as well. Sometimes we admit to not being intentional enough about exercising hospitality. But every time we do it, our lives become richer.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 4:9

We encourage you this summer, as God gives strength, to offer hospitality to both close friends and to someone you’d like to know better---like the neighbor down the street who has not yet been invited to your home.

It doesn’t have to be a gourmet extravaganza. Keep it simple and do it more often. Even coffee or tea on your deck, patio, or porch. Let’s invite others into our imperfect lives, and watch God do something fresh and exciting.

A Taste of My Own Medicine

We are all guilty at times of walking away from Half Two potential, in its various forms.

Serving in this area of ministry, you’d think I’d know better. One June evening a few years ago as I flipped through TV channels, I saw that the San Francisco Giants led the Houston Astros 10-0 after five innings. This game had a foregone conclusion; I was not about to waste my time watching it. I even told Judy that I felt sorry for the fans sitting through the remaining four innings. “There is no way they will come back,” I said with smug authority.

I was right. Houston didn’t mount a comeback. Not surprisingly, the game ended with that same fifth inning score, 10-0.

What I failed to observe, though, by changing channels so quickly, was that the Giants’ pitcher Matt Cain had a perfect game going. Those fans, whom I pitied earlier, were fortunate enough to witness the first perfect game ever in the Giants’ franchise, the 22nd perfect game in Major League Baseball history. Cain also tied Sandy Koufax’s record for the most strikeouts in a perfect game, 14. Better than a no-hitter, a perfect game means no opposing team member reaches first base.

And I, a strong advocate for Half Two potential, missed out on the live drama of those last four innings. I was so right about the outcome—and completely wrong.

And the pity I was feeling for those fans? Ironically, it’s the same kind of “bless your heart” pity Judy and I sometimes sense from people when they hear we’re working with older adults. They, too, haven’t reached first base in grasping how exciting Half Two ministry can be.

Footloose and Fancy Free

We received this note recently from a church leader responsible for second half adult ministry:

Would love to see ideas about getting the seniors group in my church off of their retired rear-ends and ministering. I fight the "I'm retired, let the younger ones do it" all the time. The seasoned, experienced, seniors group---with the most time on their hands and the most seasoned experience---don't want to commit to ongoing ministry. 

They want to be footloose and fancy free. Take off any time they want, go visit grandchildren any time they want. While I understand, that means they don't commit to ministry through our church. The Bible even instructs the elders to mentor the young ones. But nope, 'we are retired and ready to play.'

Most of what I hear is the issue of neglecting the elderly in church. I don't neglect them; I beg them to be involved, and they mostly say no.

Our retirement culture has a tight grip on some folks, and it's a mindset that has been allowed to germinate for years, often unchallenged by the Church.

With our focus on serving, we're often tempted to poke fun at the leisure lifestyle. But we're aware that some real ministry and life impact also takes place within that context.

At one church I unwittingly remarked about Christian retirees who seem plagued with an addiction to cruises. After speaking I was greeted by a precious couple who told me they go on two cruises a year and take a suitcase filled with Bibles to share with the cruise staff. Touche! 

I must respectfully take issue with the premise that visiting grandchildren equates to a disregard for ministry, but I do understand the frustration of working with capable adults who conclude they've moved beyond serving through their local church. Adults who have been tied down geographically for decades because of job responsibilities often have a natural craving to hit the road more often.

It's true that many perceive retirement as a right of passage from having a boss to now being their own boss---with a plethora of other new entitlements.

How 'bout seeing retirement as removing an earthly master so our heavenly Master can have at us in a deeper, unhindered way?

Having younger voices in our leadership mix helps to both encourage seasoned adults and challenge the retirement status quo, leading to some breakthroughs. Some retirees need a fresh wind of the Spirit. It's hard to get the cross-breeze blowing when only like-minded peers (sharing similar self-centered visions of the American dream) surround them.

Many young adults today have a high sensitivity to social injustice. Ageism (neglect and devaluing of older adults because of their advancing age) gets their attention. But social injustice cuts both ways. They can also see injustice in able-bodied retirees living only for themselves.

Before becoming too critical of retirees who scatter, let's remember that the Great Commission starts with "GO!" Here are some links to friendly advice for leaders who want to go deeper on this subject:

• Go for the Head

• Go for the Heart

• Go for the Hands and Feet

• Go Ahead, Take Some Chances

Please let us know when you see some movement among the footloose and fancy free at your church!

And please chime in with your own thoughts on this important motivational challenge. I haven't retired yet and would love to continue learning more.

The Madness of March

Have we all gone mad?

Each year the NCAA delivers March Madness to America through the game of basketball. Earlier first-round upsets and more recent come-from-behind victories ushered in new levels of madness as winning teams now move on to the Final Four.

And, of course, in this media-frenzied presidential election year, it seems like every Tuesday has a Super prefix. Madness can just as easily describe our political climate. Everybody seems mad about something, and presidential candidates have tapped into the madness.

Between now and the November election, Ms. Clinton will turn 69, Mr. Trump 70, and Mr. Sanders 75.

Hillary, Donald and Bernie---three of the five final top contenders for president---are competing past the ripe age of 68. So much for our perception that America doesn't support the serving potential of older adults!

While hundreds of millions of dollars are invested in this trio of older presidential candidates, many churches sadly fail to capitalize on the serving potential of capable older adults sitting in their pews.

In spite of glaring examples to the contrary, we act as though adults over 68 almost universally want to retire, travel and fade comfortably into the sunset. We expect little beyond their tithes. And, yes, we sometimes encounter stiff resistance when trying to open older hearts to higher expectations. It goes both ways.

Let's return quickly to the more playful subject of basketball, adding a couple courtside reflections related to second half adult ministry.

The second half is often special and the most exciting. It's not enough to compete well in just the first half. Many games are decided in the closing minutes of the game. Let's perk up and move to the edge of our seats, and see what God will do with adults in life's second half. The game is far from over.

Finally, have you noticed how a full court press demands buy-in from every defensive player on the court? At YES! we see the need for all generations to share in inspiring each generation. Without the support of the whole team, a full court press breaks down quickly. 

We need all five generations showing concern for seasoned adults, and these adults need to spread their special seasoning to every generation. We come up short (literally, vertically challenged) when each generation fends for themselves. Horizontal, peer relationships are important, but they are just one part of God's overall game plan for us.

Allow this final buzzer three-point shot to sink in as the closing minutes of March swirl around us: 

1. Let's value older adult potential within our churches---not just in presidential politics!
2. Let's treat the second half like it really matters---not just in basketball!
3. Let's engage a full court press---with help from all generations!

Uniting the Charlie Browns

Celebrations of Advent are over. It’s now time to invent 2016. While we don’t have full control over how things will look by this time next year, we can see visions and dream dreams.

Sometimes we’re not quite ready to put the past behind as we go into the New Year. Some of us may still be surrounded by remnants of Christmas.

I struggled a bit in taking down our Christmas tree. It was still healthy, tall and vibrant, full of good memories and had a story of its own. But it was time.

If you saw our tree, you probably wouldn’t immediately associate it with a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Living in a redwood forest, it’s tough to settle for an artificial tree or pay for a pricey tree.

A few years ago I was determined to use a small redwood tree on our property for our Christmas tree. But redwoods are pretty sparse in the branch department. Our Jewish neighbor Michael, also frugal, saw my predicament and suggested that I tie two trees together. It was a huge improvement, but we still had a Charlie Brown rival that first year.

We have since upped the ante, and this time tied seven trees together. It was still a bit whimsical, but it was homegrown and had its own special beauty.

We’ve learned that when you tie enough Charlie Browns together you can have a healthy looking tree. Freshly cut and immediately placed in water, these trees have greater longevity than a tree you’d buy off the lot.

We’ve also learned that having just a base for our seven flimsy trees is inadequate. For this invention to succeed, we needed a secure connection above as well. By tying the tips to a bolt in the ceiling, our small cathedral of redwoods stood tall and secure---as one.

And, of course, we can’t help but reflect on how healthy a family, church or ministry can look when we stand together in unity. We may singularly feel inadequate, but when enough of us Charlie Browns get together, look out! We’ve got something beautiful.

Moving on from the past, let’s stay grounded, nourished and securely connected above---as we unify to invent 2016!

Lovin' Late Bloomers

I don't know if I had ever tasted persimmons before. They showed up unexpectedly at our doorstep.

No, it wasn't a gracious neighbor dropping them by. They literally fell out of the sky.

Let me back up a bit. We live in a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It's beautiful but sometimes shade from the towering trees can be a bit overpowering. It starts getting dark pretty early at our home. A late afternoon drive into town, just ten minutes away, can feel like we've suddenly changed time zones, moving from the shadows into brilliant sunlight.

So earlier this year, being a thoughtful, problem-solving husband,  I surprised my wife, Judy, by cutting down four large deciduous trees on our property while she was away---to help provide more sunlight and to create a better view of our 200-foot redwoods. (We couldn't see the forest for the trees.)

As you might already guess, this was one of those thoughtful surprises that wasn't appreciated to the degree I was hoping. Summer solstice and climate change teamed up for some unseasonable heat. Judy immediately began cherishing the good ol' days of more filtered sunlight.

Some of our shade plants also protested, making it clear they too weren't ready for more sunshine.

(Be patient. Don't lose sight of the big picture. We can plant some new trees that will grow back in twenty years to cover my mistake. What's the big deal!?) 

Okay, enough of the downside and my failure to consult with the love of my life. We did have one occupant on our property that welcomed the new burst of sunshine. A sweet, unexpected surprise came in the form of a formerly barren fruit tree---now bearing persimmons!

Never Knew What We Had

We've lived in our current home for 17 years. One of our favorite deciduous trees stands right outside our kitchen door. Great shape, beautiful green leaves, lush, healthy. We never complained about it not producing fruit because it never even crossed out minds that it was a fruit tree. We just appreciated its other qualities.

But once the aforementioned tree-cutting invited more sunshine in, this particular tree surprised us with its deeper, unique, God-ordained purpose: producing persimmons.

Hmmm. It's not much of a stretch to make some spiritual applications. Know any likable, older someones who have yet to discover they were created to bear fruit? Are we as leaders quietly casting large shadows by acquiescing to low late-season expectations---also allowing former bearers of fruit to presume their days of harvest are over?

High-Hanging Fruit

We hear a lot about the practicality of going after low-hanging fruit. "Go for the easy ones." But in this case I didn't really have a choice. The fruit was all hanging high. It took a tall ladder and a telescoping pole pruner to reach the fruit. I then played a quick-handed game of snip and catch. (For the record, I was 11 for 11 until my streak ended. Then a few plummeting persimmons slipped through my bare-handed grasp. Next time I'll use a baseball glove. :)

Truth is, some of our folks are producing fruit that we as leaders may not easily see or affirm. It may not be of the apple and orange variety that we're used to, and some of it may even seem a bit far-flung, out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Some good fruitfulness is getting overlooked beyond the carefully packaged fruit baskets of our traditional programs of ministry.

Celebrate fruit-bearing wherever it may occur!

We understand how going after low-hanging fruit builds confidence, critical mass and momentum, but let's be honest. There is a lot of high-hanging fruit that we're completely ignoring, and it won't necessarily be reached through formally sanctioned programs of our church.

Some of our adults are going after this high-hanging fruit outside the boundaries of our established programs, and they need to be highlighted and applauded. It counts for the kingdom!

We're told only 1.2% of new Christian converts are over the age of 60, also moving older adults themselves into this hard-to-reach category. This high-hanging fruit can cause some church leaders to wonder if it's worth the effort. But the rewards are eternal and can lead to much more fruit-bearing and life change than our feeble minds can fathom.

December Harvest

Surprisingly, our vine-ripe persimmons are perfectly ripe and very tasty---even though we waited until mid-December to pluck them. It's a strange time of year to be harvesting fruit, but there they were, still clinging to the branches after an early frost helped strip nearly every leaf. Waiting patiently after all these years and late into the season, they were finally picked and appreciated.

I confess that I had some doubts as I looked up at those high-hanging persimmons. Had I waited too long? Will the fruit still be good? Will the risk of climbing a tall ladder be worth it, or am I just pursuing dying, mushy, overripe fruit?

We know some folks in their later seasons of life seem destined to die fruitless, never discovering their greater purpose in life. Sadly, perhaps we and other leaders aren't expecting anything special to emerge from their lives. Their spiritual fruit-bearing potential hasn't even crossed our minds. But they, like our late-harvested persimmon tree, deserve our understanding and enthusiastic support of who they were meant to be.

Their fruit may show up in higher branches, seemingly out of reach or out of touch with the mainstream. A bit more effort and ingenuity may be needed to steward this less common fruit---to keep it from wasting away on the vine and to avoid being bruised by indifference and unnecessary hard landings.

This can be especially true in the December of life when it's unseasonably late, cold, and difficult---when people are at risk of becoming overly ripe if put off too long.

Thanks, Lord, for this unexpected new gift of persimmons from an older tree we thought was barren! May it remind us of our urgent calling, as we trust You for more late-season December miracles.

These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields." Luke 10:2 (NLT)

Polar Opposites

Polar opposites.

The more we dig into Scripture, the more we see the value of connecting polar opposites.

·      Jesus said that it was the sick needing a touch from the Great Physician.

·      The rich young ruler was asked to give his riches to the poor.

·      The free are instructed to visit the imprisoned.

·      By Jesus’ example Christians are encouraged to hang out with sinners. Light needs to go into dark places.

We are also struck by how much we benefit from these connections. It’s not just a one-way proposition.

When the disciples tried to shove the kids away, Jesus didn’t start talking about how much the kids needed the disciples’ wisdom in their lives. He talked about how much they needed to become like children.

One of the hallmarks of YES! is our passion to see generations connect in more meaningful ways. Younger and older, polar opposites, moving from avoidance or dutiful tolerance to hearts that deliberately engage and love those at the opposite end of the age spectrum.

That’s one of our prayers as we finish this eighth year of YES! We thank you for your engagement in living a life intent on pleasing Him---as we continue this journey together.

May we finish 2015 well and look for opportunities to touch those far different from us.

And may the One who left the security of heaven and took on mortal flesh inspire all of us to reach outside ourselves.

Merry Christmas!

Overanalyze and Paralyze

Do you ever get stuck in an analytical mode, something not so fondly labeled the paralysis of analysis?

We recently enjoyed lunch with ministry leader Lars Dunberg, moving full speed ahead at the age of 71. (We featured Lars earlier this year in a podcast.)

We appreciate Lars’ refusal to let procrastination stand in the way of ministry. The ministry he directs, ServeNow, is followed by the tagline “Procrastinate Later.”  :)

On over-waiting for the right moment, we love the advice of Seth Godin:

You might be waiting for things to settle down. For the kids to be old enough, for work to calm down, for the economy to recover, for the weather to cooperate, for your bad back to let up just a little... 

The thing is, people who make a difference never wait for just the right time. They know that it will never arrive.  Instead, they make their ruckus when they are short of sleep, out of money, hungry, in the middle of a domestic mess and during a blizzard. Whenever.  As long as whenever is now.

Does this mean we ignore God’s timing and throw our analytical skills out the window? Of course not.

We want things done right, and we want to do the right things. It’s more of a question of getting unstuck.

Perseverance starts with consecration. Once we’re committed, confidence can grow and release momentum.

You’ll note in the last line of the YES! mission statement below that ‘serving’ is flanked by prayer and making disciples. With the Great Commission from the lips of Jesus as our end goal, we have an open door to communicate with Him now through prayer, asking for more specificity and boldness.

With help from all generations
YES! inspires adults over fifty
to become more intentional
in praying, serving and making disciples.

It’s important that we take steps now to follow His voice, leave procrastination and perfectionism in the dust, and do the next right thing. 

Move While Settling!

                Disheartening Downsizing Denial

There’s a whole lot of denial associated with getting older.

My wife Judy and I were flabbergasted in our early fifties when offered a senior discount for the first time---totally uncalled for! Savings we’d later grow to appreciate and ask for---but in the moment we weren’t quite ready.

When the check-in nurse measured my height recently, she matter-of-factly confirmed my stature at six-foot-two. “Excuse me, that’s six foot three and a half,” I asserted.

She rechecked and confirmed her earlier prognosis. “Sir, your vertebrae are compressing.” 6-2 and I was blue . . . devastating news!

And I'm still in denial! I have an unsettled feeling about gravity subtracting from my physical height over time.

Okay, we’ve all seen cereal boxes with the standard disclaimer, “Some settling of the contents may have occurred during shipment.”

Let's flip that around . . . Some movement MUST occur during settling!

1.    Don’t settle for a weak prayer life.
2.    Don’t settle for weak or missing relationships.
3.    Don’t settle for a life that omits making disciples.

We see many Christian adults settling for less spiritually in their later years. Common enemies include laziness, timidity, weakness, and impatience.

Some argue that adults in retirement are now entitled to settle for less important aspirations. While our physical stature may lose an inch or two, God calls us to keep growing and moving in our spiritual aspirations. And what could be more invigorating than following His desires for us!

We’re drawn back often to a stellar verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT):

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

It takes determination on our part to counteract spiritual settling. Let’s rely on God's power to help us fight that temptation---in our own lives and in the lives of others.

Yes, more settling of our contents may occur, but let’s not settle for less than God’s best. He wants to breathe new life into our dry, settling bones!

War Room: Finishing Well Starts with Prayer

You’ve probably seen the Geico commercial, pointing out that Pinocchio was a bad motivational speaker. His nose grows as he points to a lackluster gentleman in the audience and declares, “You have potential.”

When we talk about the untapped serving potential of older adults, we know some folks probably expect our noses to start growing as we speak.

We recognize the reality that most adults will face significant physical challenges as they grow older, and practically many serving “projects” grow out of reach.

But we also know spiritual strength can gush like a geyser in older hearts conspiring with God.

The recently released movie, War Room, is a powerful portrayal of the serving potential of an older adult with a heart for prayer and making disciples. We highly recommend it as a poignant YES! Young Enough to Serve illustration---a compelling reminder of the very real impact older, praying adults can have.

We love the idea of investing to help finish wells in third world countries. And we're also grateful for those strategically investing in YES! and other second-half adult ministries in America---seeing the need to dig deeper here at home, tapping into older adults finishing well!

There is a significant spiritual drought in our nation that can be addressed in part by elder adults becoming more intentional in praying and reaching out to younger generations. We love how this potential is boldly proclaimed in War Room and in this prayer from Psalm 71:18 (NLT): 

“Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”

Please pray that more pastors, churches and Christian leaders will embrace this old and gray potential more deliberately. The potential is very real but must become a greater part of churches’ strategies to reach younger generations.

And it must become a greater part of our own lives, as we boldly surrender ourselves more fully to the Master.

We confess that we've been guilty at times of moving prayer outside its rightful first position:

"When all else fails, pray." 
"If you're not in a position physically to serve or financially to give, you can always pray." 

These have an element of truth, but they treat prayer as our last resort, not our first.

With prayer and financial support coming from those in nearly every decade of life, we're getting more opportunities to spread the mission of YES! throughout America---and gratefully, our noses aren’t growing! :)  

Thank you for standing with us and making a spiritual difference in the lives of those around you.

With help from all generations
YES! inspires adults over fifty
to become more intentional
in praying, serving and making disciples.

Slow Down. Save a Life.

Is efficiency over-rated?

In our fast-paced, tech-saturated culture, we hear a lot of older adults complain about young people over-using their smart phones. And obviously, we who are older, supposedly wiser, and a bit less tech savvy can be just as guilty and addicted.

FaceTime replaces in person face-to-face; text messaging replaces phone calls; and emailing replaces letters formerly written in the now-almost-extinct cursive script. By defaulting to our virtual communication methods, life in this digital age can begin to lose some of its richer texture, context, and personality---like touch, voice intonation, and handwriting.

While broadening our communication range and improving access, some of our tech choices can reduce face-to-face conversations---not only between friends but with others as well.

Because we live ten minutes outside town, I find myself banking and shopping more electronically. And even when in town I opt for the ATM rather than stepping inside a bank. This "efficient" behavior results in fewer relationships with bank tellers and store clerks---fewer opportunities to let the love of Christ shine in the marketplace of life.

For decades our neighboring state of Oregon has helped prod some of us toward meaningful interaction with humans: gas station attendants who pump our gas, clean our windshield and even check our fluid levels. (It’s illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon.)

On our recent trek to Mexico, our efficiency-minded team members wondered why we were mixing concrete by hand instead of using a hydraulic mixer. Truth is, many of us needed the exercise, and we enjoyed the camaraderie and team building as we worked together productively, albeit slower than a noisier, automated approach.

And here I am, communicating with you via the world wide web, trying my best to keep it real and personal, while realizing it's too often impersonal and one-way. (Hint: Feel free to comment below!)

A golden opportunity for me to talk face-to-face with the best dad-in-law ever. And I'm sure we weren't talking about technology!

We do want to be good stewards of our time, and we won’t give up on efficiency. But we want to be careful too that we’re not shielding ourselves from opportunities to share Christ’s love in a more personal way.

“Slow Down---Save a Life.” This roadway sign  can apply to our spiritual lives. Significant opportunities for touching lives can show up on the less efficient, slower path.

So the question we need to ask ourselves more often is not "What's fastest, most efficient?" but "How can we best glorify Christ? They are not always one and the same.

“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry?
    Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?
But you say, ‘I can’t help it.
    I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’

Jeremiah 2:25 (The Message) 

School's Out for Summer . . . School's Out Forever!

Remember back to the euphoric days of school getting out for summer?

We don’t remember drifting into boredom, but sometimes our summer “freedom” didn’t quite match up to the hype and expectation after a few days. We traded classroom imprisonment with the yoke of a summer job or other responsibilities.

We hear similar reports from people retiring. Lots of hype and enchantment going in, but sometimes our enraptured stereotypes are not all they’re cracked up to be. Certainly, snapshots of retirement we see in TV commercials differ considerably from the reality of most people.

Our friend and ministry colleague John Coulombe from EV Free Church in Fullerton, California is deliberate about setting appointments with soon-to-be-retired individuals. He tells them to go have some fun and then to meet with him six months into retirement to talk about the rest of their lives.

He tells us most of these retirees call much sooner into retirement, asking to move their appointment to an earlier date. They are rested and restless.

Truth is, we’re not designed to live for extended periods of time without responsibility. What appears pretty inviting and life giving can end up becoming burdensome and unhealthy when overextended---especially when separated from active listening for the Lord’s continued guidance.

We're doing our best to help people catch a vision of what God may be calling them to in their later years of life.

We can’t answer that question with tons of specificity, but we know Scripture is full of wonderful stories of adults who acted with perseverance and courage---obediently loving God and people---until their last breath here on earth.

Your life stories and prayers are a huge part of our inspiration as we seek to equip and inspire others.

Embracing the May Days and Maydays!

The first of May can evoke images of a traditional May Day celebration, with young, costumed European children dancing around a maypole. At the other end of the stress scale, it can also conjure up voices with intense emotion, crying “Mayday! Mayday!”

 

How can such tranquility and distress reside in the same two syllables?

Well, the more intense expression has nothing to do with the merry month of May and derives from the French "m'aidez", pronounced "mayDAY," and literally means "help me."

E.B. White described the Mayday!/May Day push and pull this way:

“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”

Our only grandchild Ethan is not yet walking, but we can appreciate the tension between responding to the Mayday! calls around us vs. watching kids dance around a maypole.

You’d probably think we’d advocate for one over the other, but really both are important.

We shouldn’t be so quick to paint ourselves into a corner of all serve and no play. Kids who grow up without pleasant “May Day” kind of memories can lead to worrisome Mayday! calls later in life.

But some adults prefer to tune out desperate Mayday! cries for help because they’ve entered ‘the post-stress years', seemingly entitled to their lawn chairs and/or an endless stream of May Day parades.

We can also face the other extreme---immersing ourselves so heavily in urgent needs around us that we neglect God’s provision of rest. We can overlook ministry He wants to perform in and through us during more restful, quieter moments.

And what a gift when we discover real joy in serving others in both the urgent and not-so-urgent moments!

Gratefully we have a Living Guide, ready to show us the way:

““Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

— Matthew 11: 28-30 (ESV)