Thursday

He has shaped each person in turn;

now he watches everything we do.

Psalm 33:15 (MSG)

Mrs. Faye Price will have additional tests next Tuesday at North Oaks. Pray for her as she tries to “take it easy” for a few days.

Mrs. Avis Sullivan did not come home as expected. Instead her surgery has been moved up to this Friday. Pray for “Miss” Avis, her family, and the medical staff at North Oaks.

Mr. Bobby Raborn’s double knee surgery went well at Baton Rouge General. Pray for him as he goes through therapy.

Colbye Erwin’s paternal grandmother passed away. Her funeral was yesterday.

Inez Carroll Lea
A resident of Line Creek, she died at 10:53 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at her home. She was 96 and a native of Pine Grove. She was an officer and member of Eastern Star. Visitation at Line Creek Baptist Church, Line Creek, on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation resumes at the church on Friday from 8 a.m. until religious service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Ken Irvin and the Rev. Leon Dunn. Interment in Line Creek Cemetery. Survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Vernon Branch, Pine; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Nelson Lea, Kentwood, Chris and Sheila Lea, Duck Hill, Miss., and Kernan and Debbie Lea, Kentwood; two brothers, Pat and Darby Carroll; two sisters, Ruth Robinson and Carolyn Reinninger; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Guy Lea; parents, Leon and Arsula Carroll; son, Lloyd Lane Lea; and granddaughter, Erin Lea. Arrangements by McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.
Published in The Advocate on 7/17/2008

Baptist Press

July 16, 2008

CHINA–China relief effort adds focus on ‘Hope Centers.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28479

NEW YORK–Josh Hamilton: From heroin to home run hero. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28480

MASSACHUSETTS–Mass. Senate OKs ‘gay marriage’ for nonresidents. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28481

TENNESSEE–Baptists’ gifts to Union surpass $3M. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28482

WASHINGTON–‘Gay marriage’ could be costly for religious liberty, panelists say. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28483

GEORGIA–NAMB’s Meacham to work with Baptist associations. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28484

TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Tim Ellsworth): Josh Hamilton not the true hero. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28485

GEORGIA–FIRST-PERSON (Howard Dayton): Don’t let a vacation bust your budget. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=28486

GETTING OLDER (part 2)

An elderly man went to the doctor for a visit. “Doc,” he says,” I am so stricken. I have chest pains, headaches, back pains, nausea, arthritis, constipation, stomach cramps, earaches, burning in the eyes, congested lungs…”

“Sir,” says the doctor, “you complain you have so many things. What don’t you have?”

The man answers, “Teeth.”

I began talking about the subject of growing older in the last TFTD, and I mentioned that we dread getting old. As I said, I think there are several reasons for that. One is that (at least in the United States) we live in a youth-oriented society. We live in a society that glorifies and even worships youth. The things we hear and read seem to say that in order to be happy, you have to have good looks, good health and a good job, things we associate more with youth. So we don’t want to get old.

Old age should be looked upon with honor and respect. The Bible teaches us to respect and look up to those who are older. God commanded the Israelites in Leviticus 19:32, “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man.” In I Peter 5:5, Peter says to Christians, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.” Now he’s not talking about the office of elder here. He’s talking about members who are older. Old age is something that should be respected and in most cultures of the world it is, but unfortunately not always here in America.

Here, youth is glorified, so age is something that you cover up and deny, not something seen as good or enjoyable. One of the new concepts that our industrial world has brought us is “planned obsolescence” — it’s the idea that what isn’t new isn’t desirable. And, so it follows, according to this reasoning, that when people wear out, they should be pushed aside and ignored.

The talents and skills of the elderly, acquired over a lifetime, are often ignored. Older people often feel they’ve spent their whole life working to become good at something, only to find that nobody wants their skill. And so they struggle with feelings of uselessness, loneliness and depression.

I think we need to do a better job (both in the church and in our personal lives) of making use of this vast resource of wisdom and experience. I encourage you to sit down with the oldest person you know and simply ask the question, “What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in life?” Be prepared to take notes. 😉

(to be continued)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Don’t forget the share group meeting tonight at the cabin. We meet at 6:30 and everyone is invited to join us. (I know many of you live too far away to attend, but if you are ever in the area on the third Thursday, schedule some time to be with us.)

Anna Lee