Category Archives: courage

3/4/24    Lent   Psalm 71    The Old Gray Mare

3/4/24 Lent Psalm 71 The Old Gray Mare

Today is my sister’s birthday. I am not saying she is old, but she can see it from where she is. 😊 Now that I’ve started the day by making her mad, let’s get to the psalm. It is a psalm of growing old. Verse 9 says, “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” Verse 18 says, “Even when I am old and gray do not forsake me, my God.” David is struggling with the feelings of diminishing worth that come with aging. 

Some evenings Doris and I will be watching television, usually Wheel of Fortune. Along with yelling at the contestants about what letter to choose, or commenting on Vana White’s dress, we notice the commercials. I will say to her, “Except for the commercials about Long Term Care insurance and incontinence, the advertisers do not consider us at all. It is easy to feel like we don’t matter anymore. 

But David also gives us some good things to keep us busy in our old, gray years.  

  1. Verse 7, “I have become a sign to many.” Whether in your old age or in your time of trouble, the way you handle the difficult seasons of life is a lesson for those around you. You can be a sign of faith and faithfulness by holding on to God.  
  1. Verse 15, “My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds.” Let’s face it, if we have been around for as many years as Chonda has, we have had the opportunity to see God do some pretty good stuff. Our job at this stage is to tell people about that. 
  1. Verse 18, “I declare your power to the next generation.” Every Paul should have a Timothy. Every old saint should have a young person they are mentoring and pouring into, even if it’s just our kids and grandkids. Teach them about God’s power. 

Listen, “the old gray mare may not be what she used to be,” (Oh, calm down. I’m just using a metaphor. I’m not talking about Chonda.) but God is not finished with her, or me, or you. We have value. There are important things we are supposed to be doing for the Kingdom. So, go cash your Social Security check and get busy. And how do you find the courage to do that? David starts the psalm with that answer. “In You, Lord, I have taken Refuge…Be my Rock of Refuge to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.” (verses 1 & 3) 

So, happy birthday Chonda. When you start speaking to me again, remember I love you, and God is our Rock and Refuge and Fortress. 😊 😊  

Roll On!

Roll On!

Jakson prayed on Easter Sunday. He looked his very Easter Sunday best, pink pants, long sleeve blue shirt, hair slicked back, fresh out of the deep theological experience of 6-year-old kids church. The whole family was gathered. We held hands in anticipation of deviled eggs (What! On Easter), chicken casserole, and sweet potato pie. Josh,… Continue Reading

40 Days of Reconciliation

40 Days of Reconciliation

Good morning! Here we go for 40 Days of Reconciliation during Lent. I am anticipating God working in and around me as I focus intentionally on Him. My challenge is that during Lent, from now to Easter we give something up, take something on, read the scripture daily, and pray daily. (I recommend praying three… Continue Reading

The Blown Call

The Blown Call

However you feel about the outcome of the Super Bowl last night you probably agree with most of sports minded humanity that the hopes of the Seattle Seahawks ended on a pretty bizarre play. For the 7 of you who were not watching (which included me until the last 3 minutes by the way), Seattle… Continue Reading

David’s Legacy

David’s Legacy

This is a revised and abbreviated version of the funeral message for David Pierce. If you’d like to read the entire message the link is posted at the end of this blog. I have been thinking a lot over these last few days about David, King David, that mighty man of valor, 2nd king of… Continue Reading

God Peeks

 Jakson cheats! Well, maybe not cheats so much as he lets his unbridled enthusiasm and his wonderful curiosity get the best of him. When we play hide-and-seek he can’t keep his eyes closed. I say, “Okay Jakson, Poppy C is going to hide. Cover your eyes and count to 374”. (I cheat too.) And he… Continue Reading

Fridays @ 8: Cicadas and Courage

It is that creepy time of the year, or should I say of the 14th year. Every 14 years or so a swarm of cicadas crawl out of their burrows and up onto trees, lamp posts, porch swings and slow moving children. They deposit their empty shells and emerge as red eyed, big headed, weed… Continue Reading