I apologize if I'm overdoing it with stories about my critters in this month's newsletter. I didn't plan it this way. Yet, my good old friend, Bevo, the elder statesman of the canine family living with us, recently reminded me of a great divine truth. As I walked out of the yard to pick up our mail, I noticed a green rubber ball by the curb that I had previously seen inside. Supposing it belonged to one of our grandkids, I tossed it into the yard without giving my action much thought. At the moment Bevo heard it bounce; he immediately pounced on it. When I walked back in, he had the ball in his mouth and ran to me as if to say: "C'mon, lets play!" You may say: "All dogs do that!" Really, does that include 13 year-old dogs like Bevo? Do all dogs his age also play with their food bowl, chase after squirrels, and run around the yard wanting someone to play with them every time? If the idea that one dog year is equivalent to seven human years, then Bevo is in his nineties. Not bad for a ninety year old, don't you think? I've known some dogs that lay around the house all day and rarely open their eyes or lift their head, except when its feeding time. To most people, old-timers aren't given much credit. Unfortunately, many senior citizens believe this mistaken perception and retreat into idleness. If God's Word is true, and it is, the idea that old people can't do much of anything is garbage. God called Moses when he was eighty to lead His people against Pharaoh. Caleb, another octogenarian told Joshua to give him and his family the mountainous region of Hebron for his share in the new land of Canaan. If you think that its remarkable for an eighty year old to climb a mountain, let me remind you that there is more to this story. You see, there were Anakims (giants) living in the land at the time, and Caleb and his descendants drove them out. Old-timers can't do much? (Read the story for yourself in Joshua, chapter 14) Am I writing this story because I'm an old-timer myself ? Perhaps, but mostly I want to remind our readers that God has a special plan and purpose for all his children, regardless of their age, condition, or circumstances. As Christians, we should never meekly accept the pre-conceived perceptions of the world. If Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, why can't we? (Philippians 4:13) And the things we do for, and because of Christ, do not necessarily have to be some prodigious physical feat. The prophet, Zechariah, wrote that the great things that are accomplished in God's name are not by human power or might, but by His Spirit. (Zech 4:6) One of the greatest boosts to my faith and inspiration in the ministry came from a lady who could not even get out of bed for the last years of her life, my mom. Today, if there is anyone around who has received a boost of inspiration or comfort from my faith, it is because God first used a frail woman in her eighties many years ago to inspire me. No matter who you are or what your situation is, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do this or that. God always has the last word. And don't ever think you have very little to offer. Jesus used a lad who only had five barley loaves and two small fishes to feed a multitude. (See John, Chapter 6) It is true that people get old and die, but Christians don't have to leave this world through the back
door. We can make our exit through the front door, in victory.