Growing older gracefully

[Siloam]

hope, unconditional love, lack of malice all sound pretty good to me. "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10: 15 (NIV)

These are not realy the childish things that Paul was alluding to.

In 1 Cor chapter 13, Paul was addressing the Corinthians focus on spiritual gifts, particularly those we now term charismatic.

His thesis is that as wonderful as they are, if they supercede the primary christian attribute of love, they become a distraction.

The young concentrate on themselves, the mature look for service.

 

[rtm3039]

These are not realy the childish things that Paul was alluding to.

In 1 Cor chapter 13, Paul was addressing the Corinthians focus on spiritual gifts, particularly those we now term charismatic.

His thesis is that as wonderful as they are, if they supercede the primary christian attribute of love, they become a distraction.

The young concentrate on themselves, the mature look for service.

Ok, I’ve dug a little deeper into Mark 10:15. Obviously, this can me misunderstood to mean that children are free of sin, which we know is not actually true. What it means, to my understanding, it that acting like children is the ability to believe that God’s clarity is not something we legally or spiritually deserve. One study notes that “when presented with a great gift” children accept it “gratefully and unselfconsciously.” In this context, all children want to do with this gift is enjoy it. I see that in my grandkids all the time. Give my 3 y/o grandson a puzzle and what you get is a smile, some jumping around, and he goes right to the floor to put it together. He gets it done, breaks it apart, and does it again. In summary, receiving His gift is not associated with what we do, but how we love Him and believe in His love for us. It is this “child like” acceptance of the Lord that brings us closer to what He wants of us, “ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

 

[Lanolin]

Hmm I suppose with children while they are grateful to accept a gift, they tend to not think to share it with others. They receive, but they arent the ones giving.

 

[Major]

No, these one's are a bit larger.

The main point I was making it that, while I have obviously grown older, I really have no changed much. Yes, I am slower, parts of me hurt a bit, but I have been blessed with a steady like that has not changes all that much. Well, except having five children, five grandchildren, a wife, and many years of experience.

Ray......my personal observations of people is that when they get older, they are pretty much what they were when they were younger.

The old grumpy man who argues today at 80 did the same thing at 30.

The old woman who starts rumors at 80 did the same thing at 30.

Yes, sometimes health issues such as cancer or arthritus and such cause changes in personality but not as much as we like to think that they do.

We just tend to remember the extremes of good and bad.

 

[Major]

When I was 20, I wore blue jeans, listed to Kansas, and made a living chasing "bad guys." I am now 60, I wear blue jeans, listen to Kansas, and go around chasing "bad guys." Back then, I jumped over fences and would rather fight than talk. Now I tend to walk around fences and would rather talk than fight.

When I was 20 I combed and styled my hair.

Today I am just glad to see any looking back at me in the mirror.

 

[Major]

Ok, I’ve dug a little deeper into Mark 10:15. Obviously, this can me misunderstood to mean that children are free of sin, which we know is not actually true. What it means, to my understanding, it that acting like children is the ability to believe that God’s clarity is not something we legally or spiritually deserve. One study notes that “when presented with a great gift” children accept it “gratefully and unselfconsciously.” In this context, all children want to do with this gift is enjoy it. I see that in my grandkids all the time. Give my 3 y/o grandson a puzzle and what you get is a smile, some jumping around, and he goes right to the floor to put it together. He gets it done, breaks it apart, and does it again. In summary, receiving His gift is not associated with what we do, but how we love Him and believe in His love for us. It is this “child like” acceptance of the Lord that brings us closer to what He wants of us, “ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

How does Mark 10:15 tell us how to receive the kingdom of God as a little child?

IMPO the reference is to well-behaved, normal, loving children; and the qualities in view are: trustfulness, humility, obedience, spontaneity, forgetfulness of injury, slight, or hurt, and a total lack of prejudice.

 

[Lanolin]

Hmm so as for growing older gracefully do none of you think Jesus Christ has the power to change people and change the grumpy man or gossipy woman?

Im a bit surprised about that. I think Jesus Christ has the power to change anyone.

 

[rtm3039]

Hmm so as for growing older gracefully do none of you think Jesus Christ has the power to change people and change the grumpy man or gossipy woman?

Im a bit surprised about that. I think Jesus Christ has the power to change anyone.

Lanolin, of course He can, but we have to be (in most cases) a willing participant in out transformation.

My dad is a good example, but I am not sure of what. He was not even close to the best father, or husband, anyone could have. Very self-centered. Later on in life, by mom developed Alzheimer's. In response to that, and during most of her last 10 or so years of life, he dedicated every moment of his life to taking care of her. I saw my dad transform from a something not so nice to a carrying and loving human being.

Now, my dad was not a Christian. As a non-practicing Roman Catholic, he did have his "last rights," but he was not a man of faith. So, I do not know what caused his change, but something did.

 

[Lanolin]

Lanolin, of course He can, but we have to be (in most cases) a willing participant in out transformation.

My dad is a good example, but I am not sure of what. He was not even close to the best father, or husband, anyone could have. Very self-centered. Later on in life, by mom developed Alzheimer's. In response to that, and during most of her last 10 or so years of life, he dedicated every moment of his life to taking care of her. I saw my dad transform from a something not so nice to a carrying and loving human being.

Now, my dad was not a Christian. As a non-practicing Roman Catholic, he did have his "last rights," but he was not a man of faith. So, I do not know what caused his change, but something did.

Interesting. I dont know what your dad got taught in roman catholicsm but supposedly something got triggered. catholics do believe in Jesus even if some dont 'practice' whatever that means.

I would say he probably saw the light and acted out his faith in the Lord. Just attending church every week doesnt necessarily make you a christian. To look after your spouse when they are old and cant look after themselves requires some faith dont you think? He could have just paid someone else to look after her. Most people would call that love and honoring ones wife as promised in marriage vows in sickness and in health. A lot of people dont do that these days. They would just say its too hard and call for euthansasia etc.

 

[rtm3039]

Interesting. I dont know what your dad got taught in roman catholicsm but supposedly something got triggered. catholics do believe in Jesus even if some dont 'practice' whatever that means.

I would say he probably saw the light and acted out his faith in the Lord. Just attending church every week doesnt necessarily make you a christian. To look after your spouse when they are old and cant look after themselves requires some faith dont you think? He could have just paid someone else to look after her. Most people would call that love and honoring ones wife as promised in marriage vows in sickness and in health. A lot of people dont do that these days. They would just say its too hard and call for euthansasia etc.

"call for euthansasia?" Prettty sure that does not happen all that often, unless you are taking care of your cat.

 

[Pastor Gary]

Staff Reminder: Physician assisted life termination laws vary greatly all over the world. What may be considered legal and acceptable in one country may be totally unlawful in another country.

 

[Major]

Hmm so as for growing older gracefully do none of you think Jesus Christ has the power to change people and change the grumpy man or gossipy woman?

Im a bit surprised about that. I think Jesus Christ has the power to change anyone.

The OLD nature never goes away until we die. As we grow older we can no longer control what happens in our minds as we could when we were younger.

Medications to keep us alive all have side effects. The LACK of meds causes the same thing. We want to do good and we want to be sweet and nice but it is just not possible to keep it up as we age.

Yes, some do and they are a real blessing but it is not a universal happening...….that I have witnessed.

When you get older, I think you will understand the problem.

 

[Lanolin]

The OLD nature never goes away until we die. As we grow older we can no longer control what happens in our minds as we could when we were younger.

Medications to keep us alive all have side effects. The LACK of meds causes the same thing. We want to do good and we want to be sweet and nice but it is just not possible to keep it up as we age.

Yes, some do and they are a real blessing but it is not a universal happening...….that I have witnessed.

When you get older, I think you will understand the problem.

Thats just your opinion.

Nothing is impossible with God. Sorry major, I have witnessed changes in people that only the Lord can do. If you havent seen a miracle then you are due for one. I will pray for you.

May He open your eyes.

 

[Major]

Thats just your opinion.

Nothing is impossible with God. Sorry major, I have witnessed changes in people that only the Lord can do. If you havent seen a miracle then you are due for one. I will pray for you.

May He open your eyes.

NO mam, the sinful nature comment is BIBLICAL.

Romans 7:14 (ESV)
" For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. "

Romans 7:25 (ESV)
"Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin".


1 John 1:8 (ESV)
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. "

Romans 7:15–25 (ESV)
"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me."

 

[Smiler]

Throughout life, one's behaviour depends on the way one has been brought up and whether one has been following the example of Jesus.
Every life has a different purpose, and the result depends on whether that purpose has been identified in youth and followed faithfully.

I might be thought of as being old now I am 95, and when I look back to my youth and then to my responsibilities as a provider for a family for 66 years, I do sometimes wonder to what extent I depended on the result of my night-time prayers in those days.
I try to imagine Jesus helping Joseph in his workshop, with a reliance on the constant presence of his Father, and now, with no connection with a work-a-day world, my every thought and feeling can be surrounded by being in God's hand, not just at night, but throughout the whole day.

A great difference is noticeable when one lives alone and there is no-one to argue with, and if my only visitors are my three adult retired 'children', of course my behaviour would appear to a stranger as a humble, thankful believer, rather than someone living among others who are demanding pity and compassion.
Now my main dilemma is to know how my prayers should be divided between ridding myself of pain and remembering the needs of the rest of the world.

 

[Lanolin]

Throughout life, one's behaviour depends on the way one has been brought up and whether one has been following the example of Jesus.
Every life has a different purpose, and the result depends on whether that purpose has been identified in youth and followed faithfully.

I might be thought of as being old now I am 95, and when I look back to my youth and then to my responsibilities as a provider for a family for 66 years, I do sometimes wonder to what extent I depended on the result of my night-time prayers in those days.
I try to imagine Jesus helping Joseph in his workshop, with a reliance on the constant presence of his Father, and now, with no connection with a work-a-day world, my every thought and feeling can be surrounded by being in God's hand, not just at night, but throughout the whole day.

A great difference is noticeable when one lives alone and there is no-one to argue with, and if my only visitors are my three adult retired 'children', of course my behaviour would appear to a stranger as a humble, thankful believer, rather than someone living among others who are demanding pity and compassion.
Now my main dilemma is to know how my prayers should be divided between ridding myself of pain and remembering the needs of the rest of the world.

There are many blessings in solitude. I think as people get older they need to be open to accepting help that others DO want to care for them, just as Jesus gave Mary his mother to John to look after when he ascended. Mary would have been older and needed looking after. Jesus also said to Peter that he would get older and not be able to go about as he pleased like when he was young.

Some people can be too proud to accept help and thats to their detriment,

 

[rtm3039]

There are many blessings in solitude. I think as people get older they need to be open to accepting help that others DO want to care for them, just as Jesus gave Mary his mother to John to look after when he ascended. Mary would have been older and needed looking after. Jesus also said to Peter that he would get older and not be able to go about as he pleased like when he was young.

Some people can be too proud to accept help and thats to their detriment,

Maybe the right question was to ask you to define "older." Looks to me like you are defining senility and not age. People like well into their 80s and can still take care of themselves. I guess it all depends. My dad worked well into his 80s and he still drove his car and did everything for himself. Granted, he lived with us, but he took care of himself almost all the way until his death. Actually, as I think about it, he was only not able to take are of himself during the last 30 or so days of his life.

 

[Lanolin]

Maybe the right question was to ask you to define "older." Looks to me like you are defining senility and not age. People like well into their 80s and can still take care of themselves. I guess it all depends. My dad worked well into his 80s and he still drove his car and did everything for himself. Granted, he lived with us, but he took care of himself almost all the way until his death. Actually, as I think about it, he was only not able to take are of himself during the last 30 or so days of his life.

I think Jesus was referring to when Peter might need help walking as back then no people had cars so they couldnt just jump in one whenever they needed to go anywhere. They had walking sticks.

He might also be referring to the paralysed man who got lowered down through the roof by his friends. The faith shown by his friends was that they would carry him to Jesus when he couldnt walk himself.

 

[Siloam]

What my wife and I have been noticing is that here in the US, at least, many older people seem to need to keep working just to get by. And I am not talking about continuing to work to keep active or just to interact with others, but at jobs where they are challenged physically.

We have Social Security and other programs, and there are homes for the elderly, but we don't seem to value our elderly and care for them.

One is often finding out about homes that mistreat their residences while they appropriate most or all of their savings and income.

 

[Lanolin]

What my wife and I have been noticing is that here in the US, at least, many older people seem to need to keep working just to get by. And I am not talking about continuing to work to keep active or just to interact with others, but at jobs where they are challenged physically.

We have Social Security and other programs, and there are homes for the elderly, but we don't seem to value our elderly and care for them.

One is often finding out about homes that mistreat their residences while they appropriate most or all of their savings and income.

In the workplace you mean? What kind of jobs? My dad worked till 70 and mum is still working and she is over 70 although the job is mostly sitting down sewing not heavy lifting.

When I worked in public libraries it was quite physical lifting boxes of books, the oldest employee we had was the delivery driver and he was in his 70s. He wanted to work though. Some people like the challenge they not working cos they have to. Mum doesnt work cos she has to its cos she wants to.

The caretaker at school assistant is a nana. Gardening is physcially challenging bit you be surprised that many older people still do it. Even when they cant bend down anymore they garden in pots.

As for the homes that mistreat their residences. I could tell you stories about those since I worked in several of them. One of them, they had new managers, as the new owners wanted to run them like hotels and make a mint of selling the units when people died. They raised the entry age so that no younger retirees could get in, and thus shortened the occupancy rate. More turnover. Some of the new managers were caught embezzling money. The residents were right to be suspicious of them.