Peer Pressure
We’re not all going to reach the century milestone, so peer influence will likely remain part of our lives. Let’s make the most of it.
A 102-year-old gentleman was asked by a friend, “What’s the best part of living past one hundred?”
We loved his response, said with a smirk... “No peer pressure.” :)
We tend to think of peer pressure as something mostly teens deal with, but it does creep in as an every-life-stage influence. Assigning the word “pressure” makes it sound unwelcoming and negative, but we can obviously be the source and recipient of positive peer influence, too.
Having an enthusiastic, effervescent love for Jesus is probably the best way to transmit this positive influence to our peers and others.
While we often emphasize through YES! the significance of intergenerational relationships, we trust you and we are finding special opportunities to also influence our peers.
May this year be full of fresh opportunities to make a God-glorifying difference through your love. We’re not all going to reach the century milestone, so peer influence will likely remain part of our lives. Let’s make the most of it.
And let’s allow God’s Word to help shape that love:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)
Through
With the recent sixty-year anniversary of President Kennedy’s untimely death, we were reminded of his famous “Ask not what your country can do for you” speech.
Our audience is a tad smaller, but if we could craft a similar speech for older-adult leaders, it would read:
Ask not only what you can do for and with older adults, but also ask what God might do THROUGH them.
The recent sixty-year anniversary of President Kennedy’s untimely death reminds us of his famous “Ask not what your country can do for you” speech.
Our audience is a tad smaller, but if we could craft a similar speech for older-adult leaders, it would read:
Ask not only what you can do for and with older adults, but also ask what God might do THROUGH them.
What we do for older adults, especially the frail, is significant. What we do with them is also vital as we respond to their need for fellowship and socialization.
But, as you may know by now, a huge emphasis of YES! and a reason for founding this ministry 16 years ago is that often missing element: What does God want to do THROUGH these adults in life’s second half?
Click here for year-end giving total update.
Let’s look for the purposes God has in mind for older adults in our sphere of influence. Starting here can also help shape what we do for and with them.
What a blessing when God’s later-life purposes come into focus! Yes, some adults are extremely needy, and their serving capacity has been severely squeezed. But even as options diminish, let’s be mindful of ways they can still make a difference in the lives of others.
We may sometimes struggle with the presumption of fruitfulness in the lives of older adults, but let’s start with that presumption and see where God takes them and us.
As we get older, we want to be with those adopting this “God is not finished with us yet” mindset. A lot of good still to come!
Set Free
After several years in prison, Anh experienced an undeniable encounter with Jesus. While walking in the courtyard one day, she experienced a bright light shining on her and a sense in her soul that there was a God and she was loved! She immediately found a Christian group that ministered at the prison.
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ”
Some of us were blessed to be raised in Christian families and accepted Jesus as Savior at a young age…and we've reaped the benefits of following Him as adults. But many were not raised that way.
While I will forever thank God for the family I was raised in - I have such a soft spot in my heart for those who found Jesus later and have fallen madly in love with Him. Just the simple “calling out” to God can have a profound effect on our lives…now and for eternity.
Like it has for Anh.
I met Anh (Ann) Vo through a mutual friend who served as a women’s prison guard. My friend told me Anh had found Jesus as an inmate and needed Christian women to mentor her. After connecting through letters and going through the prison-visitation hoops - the day arrived. As soon as I met Anh, I knew we had kindred spirits.
Backstory. Anh was raised in Vietnam. When she came with her family to America she began looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places. She lived with her boyfriend, surrounded by lots of drinking and drugs.
On weekends Anh worked with a jewelry distribution business owner. She and her boss would visit jewelry shows to sell their wares.
She and her boyfriend become destitute. With Anh’s help a friend of theirs devised a plan to rob Anh’s boss the next Saturday when he drove to their apartment to pick up Anh for work. When her boss arrived, Anh stayed in the apartment, while the co-conspirator went to the car. As he initiated the robbery, a fight broke out. The friend shot and killed Anh’s boss.
Anh heard the gunshot from inside and collapsed on the floor. It was only supposed to be a robbery, but she knew she was now an accomplice to a murder. She turned herself in and owned up to her role, receiving a sentence of 25 years to life.
After several years in prison, Anh experienced an undeniable encounter with Jesus. While walking in the courtyard one day, she experienced a bright light shining on her and a sense in her soul that there was a God and she was loved. She immediately found a Christian group that ministered at the prison.
She was brokenhearted over the crime she helped commit. She repented of her sins and invited Christ into her heart. Radically transformed, she started attending a prison Bible study and immersed herself in God’s Word. She shared her newfound faith with other inmates. Many were won to Jesus.
After serving 21 years, Anh was released from prison six years ago. Today she serves as a counselor supervisor. She loves Jesus with all her heart.
There’s nothing like a transformed life!
If you reply, we will forward any encouraging words to Anh.
Maybe you would be interested in checking out ways to serve those incarcerated? Prison Fellowship is one good option. It could change someone’s life…maybe yours.
Aging Well
Among the findings tied to Barna’s extensive research:
· “Older generations feel they have something to contribute to the world, but fewer feel valued.”
· A third of U.S. pastors “feel least equipped to minister to someone through late adulthood compared to other life stages.”
· “Seniors have needs that can easily be overlooked in the midst of active, growing congregations.”
Since our earthly life (apart from being raptured) will end with death, what’s with our Finishing STRONG or Aging WELL lingo? Are we living in complete denial?
At the point of someone’s natural old-age passing, they are physically, of course, neither strong nor well. As a few hypochondriacs have inscribed on their tombstones, “I told you I was sick.”
While there’s a lot we can do to live healthier lives, if we live long enough, our bodies will experience decline. Living purposefully while facing age-related challenges is at the core of aging well.
“So we do not lose heart. Though the outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...”
You may be familiar with Barna, known for their in-depth research of matters related to our culture and the Church. For 38 years they’ve conducted extensive research, including generational studies, mostly focusing on younger generations.
In collaboration with Worship Anew, Barna just released a book entitled Aging Well.
Judy and I were among four featured contributors, with our interview focused on ‘Getting Intentional About Intergenerational Ministry’.
We’re grateful to share in this thoughtful work’s creation, along with contributing to other recent Barna releases: Our Q & A in Gifted for More and a shorter contribution to Gen Z and Your Church.
Even with these observations, they are quick to point back to the biblical truth that Jesus’ call to make disciples has no age limit.
Among the findings tied to Barna’s extensive research:
· “Older generations feel they have something to contribute to the world, but fewer feel valued.”
· A third of U.S. pastors “feel least equipped to minister to someone through late adulthood compared to other life stages.”
· “Seniors have needs that can easily be overlooked in the midst of active, growing congregations.”
It’s gratifying to view solid research underscoring needs and reaffirming our mission. Your partnership with us makes these partnerships possible.
Serving Others is Ageless
Ken Postema, 71, is a retired book publisher. Five years ago, Ken had never packed an Operation Christmas Child shoebox and didn’t even know much about the outreach to children around the world to bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ. But a friend challenged Ken, who dabbled in woodworking over the years, to build 10,000 toy wooden cars to put in shoeboxes.
YES! is collaborating with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child in a special way this year to help spread the word about this amazing serving opportunity. This is the last of four stories we’re pleased to share.
Building Toy Cars to Help Build God’s Kingdom
Ken Postema, 71, is a retired book publisher. Five years ago, Ken had never packed an Operation Christmas Child shoebox and didn’t even know much about the outreach to children around the world to bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ. But a friend challenged Ken, who dabbled in woodworking over the years, to build 10,000 toy wooden cars to put in shoeboxes.
“Wow!” Ken said. “That's a big number.”
Ken went to work and after much trial and error, he perfected the building process and began creating wooden cars in his pole barn. In 2020, he built over 10,000 toy cars. The next year he created 20,000. This year, Ken is on pace to complete over 50,000 cars!
To achieve the lofty goal, Ken shared his passion for reaching boys and girls with the Gospel through shoebox gifts with two senior centers in his area. The residents quickly caught the vision and helped assemble the cars, putting on wheels and axel pegs. Ken's 93-year-old dad helps put the cars together, too. This year, he helped complete nearly 20,000 of them.
“It's given him new strength and a reason to get up in the morning,” Ken said. “He's encouraged knowing where the cars go and what the mission is all about, which is to help tell kids about Jesus.”
We're never too old to serve the Lord. Whether you pack one shoebox or several, or use your unique gifts, like Ken, to create items that will bring joy to children, you can make an eternal difference in the life of a boy or girl. You can also volunteer with Operation Christmas Child. Check out the many ways you can serve on our Ways to Volunteer page.
Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3
Operation Christmas Child® is a project of Samaritan's Purse®.
Franklin Graham, President
PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
Purposeful Adventure
As we grow older, we tend to take fewer risks, often with good reason. We’re reasonably confident that you won’t read about us taking on a multi-nation motorcycle trek.
But God will call us to do something outside our comfort zones, and we too want to be ready to enlist in these God-ordained, young-enough-to-serve adventures.
Sometimes purpose shows up in routine plodding on, and sometimes it’s enveloped in adventure.
We’re blessed to serve with a board of directors whose individual lives reflect both purpose and adventure.
For the past five years Dan Parotti has been a huge blessing on the YES! board. He serves as the global missions and seniors pastor at Cedar Valley Church in Bloomington, Minnesota.
This Sunday he embarks on a momentous, purposeful adventure, riding his motorcycle from Bloomington to Brazil. All along the way, Dan will be connecting with pastors and churches his church supports.
Staying on the main highway, Dan will travel through some countries where he’ll need to stay on high alert. And while very comfortable on a motorcycle, Dan doesn’t speak Spanish, adding an extra layer of challenge to this significant undertaking.
On some legs of the trip, he’ll be accompanied by locals riding alongside him, but mostly it’s a solo adventure. From home Dan’s wife Shani will help document his trip, sharing with others through social media.
For most of us, this ‘Devotional Road’ adventure sounds a bit terrifying, but Dan views it as something God has clearly ordained and orchestrated.
We will definitely join with others in praying for his safety and favor along the way. And even though you may not know Dan, we invite you to pray for him over the next couple months.
We can see how this 9000-mile, 13-country trip will add rich, personal dimensions to this church’s global outreach, and it’s particularly inspiring to the seniors in his church, with whom he has developed a close bond since his late-forties appointment to serve as their pastor.
As we grow older, we tend to take fewer risks, often with good reason. We’re reasonably confident that you won’t read about us taking on a multi-nation motorcycle trek.
But God will call us to do something outside our comfort zones, and we too want to be ready to enlist in these God-ordained, young-enough-to-serve adventures.
P.S. THANKFULLY, Dan’s adventure went well. Here’s some amazing footage.
The Loneliness and Isolation Epidemic
From the beginning God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone. He has wired us for fellowship and community.
Earlier this year the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released an 81-page report on our current epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
Have you ever watched Alone on the History Channel? Ten bold souls get dropped off in separate remote areas to see how long they can survive completely on their own. With no on-site camera crews, they’re equipped to film themselves.
As time progresses, weather conditions worsen and severe hunger can also become debilitating. Most contestants are well versed in survival skills, but one-by-one they officially “tap out.”
The last person remaining wins a substantial cash prize.
While physical challenges often lead to their demise, the mental and emotional challenge of being completely alone, cut off from human interaction, can also surface as an insurmountable obstacle.
From the beginning God recognized that it was not good for man to be alone. He has wired us for fellowship and community.
Earlier this year the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released an 81-page report on our current epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
“The lack of social connection poses a significant risk for individual health and longevity, increasing the premature death risk as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
Sadly, in-person social connections are in severe decline.
“This decline is starkest for young people ages 15 to 24. For this age group, time spent in-person with friends has reduced by nearly 70% over almost two decades.
In 2020, only 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue, or mosque. This is down from 70% in 1999 and represents a dip below 50%,” a first in the survey question’s history.
We see the Day approaching. All the more let’s follow Hebrews 10:24-25:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (ESV)
Overcoming Grief with Good News
Doris started packing shoeboxes in 1995 after her 13-year-old son died at Christmastime the year before. She was determined not to live in grief, but to do something good to help overcome it. She chose to begin shopping for and packing shoebox gifts so boys and girls across the globe could hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
YES! is collaborating with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child in a special way this year to help spread the word about this amazing serving opportunity. This is the third of four stories we’re pleased to share.
Doris Row, 70, hosts an annual Operation Christmas Child packing event at her Tishomingo, Oklahoma, ranch on the first Saturday in November. Dozens of people from her community come to prayerfully prepare thousands of shoebox gifts for children in need around the world.
Doris started packing shoeboxes in 1995 after her 13-year-old son died at Christmastime the year before. She was determined not to live in grief, but to do something good to help overcome it. She chose to begin shopping for and packing shoebox gifts so boys and girls across the globe could hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“The most important thing in life is knowing Jesus Christ as our personal Savior,” Doris said. “These kids, once they get that gift, their hearts are open. And through that box I'm telling that child 'I love you and I care about you.'”
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan's Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.
Whether you pack one shoebox or several, you can make an eternal difference in the life of a boy or girl.
“It does not matter how many boxes we do. Every box is important,” Doris said. “We have the opportunity to tell children about Jesus Christ and what Jesus has done for them.”
To learn more, visit the Operation Christmas Child Ways to Volunteer page.
Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3
Franklin Graham,
President
Managing OUR Ego
Sometimes when seeing a book title, our minds immediately race to others who would benefit from reading and absorbing its contents.
While writing, though, Mel concluded that “pride is everyone’s problem. No matter our personality type, our sin nature inclines us toward self-centeredness.”
We talk a lot about purpose and resilience in later life, being realistic about physical challenges that come our way, while still having a heart to take on new challenges.
Mel Johnson, a dear friend in ministry, epitomizes this resiliency and purpose by writing his first book, Walk Softly: Ego Management in an Egocentric World.
Mel had been motivated to write a book earlier in life but found many good books already written on specific topics he considered. On the pride/humility topic, though, few books stood out, which helped catapult him forward.
Amazingly, Mel is 91. And he’s now already working on his second book (same topic but more specifically directed to spiritual leaders).
Some of the material in this first book emerged from his years of pastoring and teaching, but mostly God gave fresh insight as he wrote. What a blessing to witness creative energies still flowing at 91!
Sometimes when seeing a book title, our minds immediately race to others who would benefit from reading and absorbing its contents.
While writing, though, Mel concluded that “pride is everyone’s problem. No matter our personality type, our sin nature inclines us toward self-centeredness.”
He also shared this primary truth:
“The more we understand the importance of honoring God and the more we long to give Him glory, the more effective we become in overcoming self-centeredness. Honoring God is our highest calling, and we need His help to fulfill that calling.”
Confident that our affirmation won’t inflate his ego, :) we salute Mel for writing this timely book in his tenth decade of life.
Accepting CHALLENGES in the Season of CHILL
Many people already think of retirement as a multi-decade vacation. When you put that mindset smack dab in the middle of summer—universally prime vacation season—promoting serving opportunities can have a swimming-against-the-current feel.
But as you know, needs around us don’t take a vacation, so any time of year is right for a serving plunge.
Many people already think of retirement as a multi-decade vacation. When you put that mindset smack dab in the middle of summer—universally prime vacation season—promoting serving opportunities can have a swimming-against-the-current feel.
But as you know, needs around us don’t take a vacation, so any time of year is right for a serving plunge.
We’re certainly not anti-vacation. Everyone needs periods of rest and relaxation. But let’s also be open to God’s call to serve at any time of year.
Even on vacation a surrendered servant’s heart is the perfect traveling companion. Not our will but Yours, Lord.
In Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite’s work responsibilities, along with prejudice, appeared to be obstacles to their impromptu serving opportunity. A ‘don’t-bother-me-I’m-on-vacation’ mindset can also trip us up.
As we announced a serving trek to San Francisco’s Tenderloin District a few days following the Fourth of July, we certainly felt the tension between the desire to take on a challenge or to chill.
We were so grateful for the many who joined YES! for a Sunday afternoon of ministry in a rough neighborhood of a city with challenges galore.
We’re grateful for both times to chill and times to take on challenges.
As we grow older, may the Lord make us pliable, still ready to accept serving challenges...even when it feels like the whole world is on vacation. :)
As a young adult, my maternal grandfather served with the Salvation Army in San Francisco in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Judy’s parents and oldest brother served here late last century. That heritage is special to reflect on as we periodically serve here in the 21st century.
The Happy Grandmas
Whether you create an item for a shoebox or pack one, it can make an eternal difference in the life of a boy or girl. "One box is going to reach a child—that's a soul that is going to be touched by Jesus," Margarita said. "One child at a time, it's going to make a difference."
YES! is collaborating with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child in a special way this year to help spread the word about this amazing serving opportunity. This is the second of four stories we’re pleased to share.
Barbara Korn and Margarita Sosa are both in their mid-70s and refer to themselves as "The Happy Grandmas." Together, they make hundreds of stuffed animals each year to pack in Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to share God's love with children across the globe.
"Making these creations has given me so much assurance that the Lord is using me for His purpose," Margarita said. "If I can see and I can sew and cut and thread, I'll be doing this until I die." Barbara agreed and encourages Christians to never underestimate the power of God to work in the lives of those who are available and obedient, regardless of their age.
"Every day when I get up, I choose to do something," Barbara said. "And as long as God keeps us healthy, we will continue to make these cuddly creations."
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan's Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.
Whether you create an item for a shoebox or pack one, it can make an eternal difference in the life of a boy or girl. "One box is going to reach a child—that's a soul that is going to be touched by Jesus," Margarita said. "One child at a time, it's going to make a difference."
To learn more, visit the Operation Christmas Child Ways to Volunteer page.
Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3
Franklin Graham,
President
See the Forest
Towering trees and older adults: Both have spun numerous years around the sun. What a mistake to treat them as obstructions!
They, too, are an incredible part of the view.
If we’ve ever been blessed to have you in our home, you’re aware that we live in a Santa Cruz Mountain forest, surrounded by dozens of towering redwoods.
“No view.”
When we moved here from Southern California in ‘98, we couldn’t help but laugh as we reviewed a subjective option in our miracle home’s appraisal, authoritatively declaring ‘no view’.
Our majestic redwood trees block our view. Who knew? Apparently, our appraiser couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
Merriam Webster defines this idiom as: “to not understand or appreciate a larger situation, problem, etc., because one is considering only a few parts of it.”
Our focus on adults over 55 covers many life stages, triggering some bewilderment: WHAT does a 55-year-old have in common with a 95-year-old?
When you add our intergenerational ministry emphasis across all ages, it too plays with people’s minds. WHAT interests do teenagers and adults in their seventies share?
Some might be quick to respond in a way reminiscent of our viewless appraisal: ‘No common areas of interest’.
Maybe the ‘WHAT’ question leads us astray. As fellow Christians we might do well to first start with WHO we have in common. From that wellspring alone, we have many connecting points.
Towering trees and older adults: Both have journeyed for scores of years around the sun. What a mistake to treat either of them as obstructions!
They, too, are an incredible part of the view…and can us inspire us as we together trek around that same sun.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 92:12-15 (NIV)
North of 85 and Going Strong
While Stan & Julie have learned the art of downshifting, they clearly still have their foot on the gas pedal, eager to share about upcoming projects in Bolivia and Northern California.
We don’t all have construction skills or the physical agility to serve on a work crew like this, but we do have an array of gifts and talents that can still be activated for meaningful service.
How do you say ‘no’ to an 85/86-year-old couple with a God-given passion to help smaller churches?
We could just view them as anomalies, or we might let their example help move our expectation bar much higher.
If they and others in their eighties can still accomplish so much, maybe I’m too young to hit the brake pedal!
Stan & Julie Wagner, through their ministry, SeedOne, have raised millions of dollars and have tackled over 200 projects, both domestic and international—primarily assisting smaller churches that need an infusion of labor and expertise.
Stan admits that he has now backed away from most of the physical labor, but he & Julie are the driving force in pulling these projects and work teams together—with lots of help from those younger.
At this particular Santa Cruz, California project, “those younger” included 80-year-old Walter. More than a decade older and wiser than me, I couldn’t keep up with him.
While Stan & Julie have learned the art of downshifting, they clearly still have their foot on the gas pedal, eager to share about upcoming projects in Bolivia and Northern California.
I recently had the joy of serving a day with the SeedOne crew in their week-long backyard makeover at New Hope Community Church. Both new and returning volunteers came from multiple churches in California and Nevada... mostly skilled construction volunteers in their forties to eighties, about half of them vocationally retired and the others still employed.
It was amazing to see all they accomplished, pouring a huge patio, installing fencing, building/painting a new shed, and painting another one.
Stan didn’t start out in construction but earlier pastored several small rural churches. Necessity led him into a variety of church-related construction projects.
We don’t all have construction skills or the physical agility to serve on a work crew like this, but we do have an array of gifts and talents that can still be activated for meaningful service.
85+, going strong and multiplying their efforts through others...incredibly inspiring!
Never Too Old to Serve
Sallie is a retired nurse. When she stepped away from her career at age 65, she knew that retirement was the beginning of a very different season of her life as a Christian. She immediately jumped into ministry at her church in Miami and committed to packing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. Why? "Because those boxes go to the ends of the earth to tell others about Jesus," she said. "I want everybody to know about Jesus. That's why I pack boxes."
YES! is collaborating with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child in a special way this year to help spread the word about this amazing serving opportunity. This is the first of four stories we’re pleased to share.
96 Years Young
You are never too old to serve. Just ask Sallie Simmons, who describes herself as "96 years young."
Sallie is a retired nurse. When she stepped away from her career at age 65, she knew that retirement was the beginning of a very different season of her life as a Christian. She immediately jumped into ministry at her church in Miami and committed to packing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. Why? "Because those boxes go to the ends of the earth to tell others about Jesus," she said. "I want everybody to know about Jesus. That's why I pack boxes."
Get Involved
The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan's Purse partners with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations.
"If you haven't ever packed a shoebox, try it," Sallie said. "It will make your heart feel good, and it will introduce a child to Christ."
To learn more, visit the Operation Christmas Child Ways to Volunteer page.
Declare His glory among the nations!
Psalm 96:3
Franklin Graham,
President
Fan Into Flame
In life’s later stages we need to value our embers/gifts and pair them with a fresh Holy Spirit wind that fans our gifts into flames.
Embers don’t remain embers forever. They can grow cold and die out, or they can be fanned into flame.
Life’s second half is not an ember-only life stage. We may experience challenges that suggest our raging-fire days are over. But with open hearts, get ready for those embers to once again burst into flame. God may use our prayers, His Word, serving opportunities, relationships---even our trials---to fan our embers.
4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:4-6
These words penned by Paul to Timothy reflect such two-way depth in their relationship. It’s not just Paul the Elder pouring his life into the younger Timothy. Timothy, who also benefited greatly from his God-honoring mother and grandmother, is a source of joy in Paul’s life.
We love Paul’s reminder to “fan into flame the gift of God.”
Living in a forest, we rely on our wood-burning fireplace insert as our primary heat source. With no gas or propane connected, we ignite crumpled paper and kindling to get the fire started.
Once inflamed, we add logs to keep the fire going for up to weeks at a time. When the flames subside, we search for embers we can fan into flame. In our home these embers are treasures...so much better than starting over.
In life’s later stages we need to value our embers/gifts and pair them with a fresh Holy Spirit wind that fans our gifts into flame. In this passage Paul’s life was about to be extinguished, but hot embers would continue to be fanned into flame by Timothy and others.
Embers don’t remain embers forever. They can grow cold and die out, or they can be fanned into flame. Here we are, a couple thousand years later, still fanning these embers into flame.
Life’s second half is not an ember-only life stage, passively awaiting life’s final flicker. We may experience challenges that suggest our raging-fire days are over. But with open hearts, get ready for those embers to once again burst into flame. God may use our prayers, His Word, serving opportunities, relationships---even our trials---to fan our embers.
And, as we’re reminded in this month’s Easter celebration...it’s Friday but Sunday is a-comin’.
Atmospheric Rivers
America and the world have been hit by many storms in recent years, certainly not all weather-related, and we need God’s supernatural intervention.
May all of us be open to God’s fresh touch as we too humble ourselves before Him. Sons and daughters are seeing visions, and older generations are dreaming dreams.
If you’ve been praying for rain in California, we give you permission to stop. :) If you’ve been praying for revival in our nation and world, please continue!
We’ve had plenty of opportunities lately to confirm that water runs downstream.
But we’ve also observed that God’s Spirit is not subject to natural laws. God is full of wonderful, counter-intuitive surprises.
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Yes, in the spiritual realm an outpouring can flow upstream from an unexpected base.
Today we may not have anticipated a spiritual outpouring through Gen Z students at a Kentucky university with Methodist roots. We love how God’s Spirit is on the move, once more touching a younger generation and rippling out to all generations.
We had never even heard the term “atmospheric river” until this winter, and we’ve marveled at nature’s incredible force here in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Atmospheric rivers are happening in the spiritual realm, too. People are hungry for more of God, and a humble spirit of repentance has led to another special outpouring and call to obedience. No big names, no special effects, no incredible musical talent---just a group of committed students humbling themselves before an awesome God.
Many people have been on their knees praying that this day would come. How gratifying for those prayer warriors and for those faith-filled students who chose to continue their worship!
We also love seeing the convergence of many media efforts highlighting God’s love and redemption such as the Jesus Revolution movie, the He Gets Us campaign, and The Chosen.
America and the world have been hit by many storms in recent years, certainly not all weather-related, and we need God’s supernatural intervention.
May all of us be open to God’s fresh touch as we too humble ourselves before Him. Sons and daughters are seeing visions, and older generations are dreaming dreams.
We pray that this is only the beginning.
Tipping the Scales with Younger Leaders
There’s something special when other parts take notice, show concern and give honor.
Younger people are old enough to lead us. And we who are older are still young enough to serve.
Partnering with younger generations to fulfill our mission is life-breathing.
24b But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1 Corinthians 12 (ESV)
For the first time since starting YES! in 2008, we’re now up to eight serving on our board of directors. Half are from California, and half are from other states...not too surprising for a nationally focused ministry based in California.
What may surprise you, though, is that FIVE current board members are younger than our 55+ age target.
Read those above verses again. “Giving greater honor to the part that lacked it...No division...Members having the same care for one another.”
If a certain part of the body lacks honor, these verses suggest that we partner with God to extend greater honor to that part. We don’t expect that part to fend for themselves and simply hope for the best.
There’s something special when other parts take notice, show concern and give honor.
Our newest board member, Christine Turner, in her late forties, exemplifies what we’re talking about:
“I am currently in two Bible studies where I am the youngest in the group. In one of my groups I sit next to a woman in her 80s who just lost her husband last year. We have really bonded. She knows I am a crier and always brings my Kleenex. I hold her hand when someone shares about their spouse, and I can tell it’s painful for her. I love multigenerational opportunities in ministry.”
There’s relevant instruction here for our youth-oriented, age-segregated American culture that we’ll continue to emphasize:
Let honor flow between generations.
Don’t settle for division.
Care for those outside your circle.
Younger people are old enough to lead us. And we who are older are still young enough to serve.
Partnering with younger generations to fulfill our mission is life-breathing.
Here's the church and there's the steeple...
Houses/buildings have many parallel systems and fewer interdependent systems. The electricity and plumbing operate independently. The brick masons, painters, and carpet layers may have little interaction, and that's okay. You might say they ‘tolerate’ each other.
Let’s all remind ourselves how much we need each other as the body (not the building) of Christ.
“Here's the church and there's the steeple.
Open the door and see all the people.”
Mature Christians know that the Church is the people, not a steepled building. Buildings are wonderful structures, but unlike people, they are not living, breathing, interdependent beings, for whom Jesus died.
In a recent two-part podcast (Jan 10) interview with Cavin Harper and Sarah Greenstreet of ElderQuest Ministries, I (Wes) was asked about obstacles holding the church back from being more intergenerational.
Do you ever get asked a question, give an answer on the spot, and then continue to mull over the question in weeks to come?
This question prompted me to think post-podcast about my dad, who passed away over two decades ago. He was a successful building contractor, overseeing the construction of over a thousand homes in the Pacific Northwest.
He had his core construction crew and also worked with a myriad of subcontractors. Fostering close relationships between the various subcontractors wasn’t a priority. He mainly wanted them to work efficiently and stay out of each other’s way.
Houses/buildings have many parallel systems and fewer interdependent systems. The electricity and plumbing operate independently. The brick masons, painters, and carpet layers may have little interaction, and that's okay. You might say they ‘tolerate’ each other.
When the power goes out at our house (and it does!), we can still use our sink and non-electric stove. By contrast, our body’s digestive tract would shut down without the circulatory and nervous systems.
We know there is a temptation for pastors and leaders to operate like building contractors. The ‘body’ of Christ can sometimes drift to a more manageable ‘building’ metaphor, content with tolerant relationships.
Rather than operating like general medical practitioners, with keen awareness of the complex, interdependent nature of the body, some pastors thrive as successful contractors. Like my dad, they appreciate what each tradesperson brings to the table but may be less apt to focus on interdependent relationships, including intergenerational.
We’re here to support pastors and churches in this arena. Let’s all remind ourselves how much we need each other as the body (not the building) of Christ.
Some Side Effects May Occur
We’re often blessed to see very favorable side effects when we follow our prescribed-by-God calling.
We never know the far-reaching impact of our efforts when God leads us. Some of the effect falls right in line with our mission statement. And other wonderful ‘side effects’ thankfully occur, expressions of God at work, far beyond our finite goals.
Have you ever listened intently to all of the possible adverse side effects as certain medications are advertised on TV?
It’s hard to believe they’re investing exorbitant advertising dollars in a commercial that spells out such a demoralizing array of devastating side effects.
In a more positive direction, we’re often blessed to see very favorable side effects when we follow our prescribed-by-God calling.
As you know, we’re called to address the untapped serving potential of adults in life’s second half, particularly in the USA. This, too, was the focus of our recent Finishing Strong video series.
We recently learned that one of our videos, Disciple Makers, with our youngest presenter, Daniel Jaquish, is now posted as far away as Australia, being used on the Navigators Military Ministry website to inspire young officers in that nation’s military service.
Michael Schmid (with the Navigators ministry) shared with us, “The Deputy Director of the US Navigators Military Ministry visited with me personally yesterday, having been so impressed by what he heard from Daniel that he wanted me to help nationally in developing more disciplers like him among young officers.”
Also, this video spurred a Space Officer at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to ask Daniel to mentor him in launching discipleship ministry at his base.
Michael also shared that two churches, led by friends pastoring in the Northeast and Nebraska, are using the video to launch discipleship emphasis ministries in their congregations.
We never know the far-reaching impact of our efforts when God leads us. Some of the effect falls right in line with our mission statement. And other wonderful ‘side effects’ thankfully occur, expressions of God at work, far beyond our finite goals.
Is Our All Too Small?
“For God so loved THE WORLD.” We like the bigness of that picture. He loves the poor, the elderly, the unborn, ethnic minorities and majorities, the young, the rich and middle class.
And while our passions may draw us to a specific cause or people group, it’s ALL about the ALL, y’all!
J.B. Phillips authored a powerful book you may have read, Your God is Too Small.
Somewhat parallel to that classic reminder, we like to pay close attention to what follows when someone says, “It’s ALL about…”
While we’re passionate about older adult ministry, we recognize that it’s not ALL about us and older generations.
We’re passionate about younger generations, but we know it’s not ALL about them either.
“For God so loved THE WORLD.” We like the bigness of that picture. He loves the poor, the elderly, the unborn, ethnic minorities and majorities, the young, the rich and middle class.
And while our passions may draw us to a specific cause or people group, it’s ALL about the ALL, y’all!
We confess that it makes us kind of sad when we hear that a church is ALL about young families. Don’t get us wrong. We, too, love young families.
But young families without older generations around will take on weights of responsibility God intended to be shared more broadly. The vibrancy of our later years will be diminished if we’re generationally isolated.
With extended longevity, four-generation families are common. May our churches reflect that as well!
Some communities, of course, have a narrower generational mix, making age breadth a more difficult goal.
We recall seeing “This is not your grandparents’ church!” advertisements for new church startups in earlier years. We know this meant the worship and other style preferences would be a departure from earlier generations. We get that.
We love it, though, when churches have a unified Thanksgiving-celebration spirit. Imagine receiving a Thanksgiving invitation from a family member declaring “This is only for young families” or, “This is not our grandparents’ Thanksgiving” or, “Sorry, mature-adults-only this year.” Ouch!
Is our ALL too small?
While embracing fresh creativity, let’s make church an intergenerational affair! Like this month’s Thanksgiving meal, it’s not ALL about what’s on the table; it’s about who feels welcomed around that table as well.