Aging

Good Morning,

I've been thinking about "aging"recently.  Since we all do it (unless we die first), it's probably something we think about.  In the 4th century a.d. a bishop named Athanasius theorized that the aging process could be slowed by fasting (not eating for a period of time).  He believed that fasting helped to put the soul in control of the body, which in turn helped to prevent harmful pracitices to the body.  His case study was Saint Anthony who fasted regularly and then lived to be 105.  Now even science is beginning to think the same thing.  So, besides the spiritual benefits of fasting, it may have some longevity benefits.

I think another good way to age well is to find wonder in the world all around us.  One of my favorite "aging examples" is John Adams, 2nd President of the U.S.  John Adams and his wife Abigail had a wonderful marriage.  When Abigail died some thought John would join her soon in the grave.  But he didn't.  He lived many years beyond Abigail's death and developed a keen sense of wonder in the simplest things.  He wrote this about something as ordinary as grammar:

   "I never delighted much in contemplating commas and colons, or in spelling or measuring syllables; but now...if I attempt to look at these little objects, I find my imagination, in spite of all my exertions, roaming in the Milky Way, among the nebulae, those mighty orbs, and stupendous orbits of suns, planets, satellites, and comets, which compose the incomprehensible universe; and if I do not sink into nothing in my own estimation, I feel an irresistible impulse to fall on my knees, in adoration of the power that moves, the wisom that directs, and the benevolence that sanctifies this wonderful whole."  (John Adams, by David McCullough, p. 630).

All that from a sentence!  Here's a thought:  How about, instead of merely expanding our porfolio of experiences in the big, wide world, how about lifting the lid on the wonder that's in the world in the spaces we currently occupy?  That's doable, and we don't need a hefty retirement package to fund it.  Just a thought.

Bible reading

Hi virtual reader,

I recently read through the Bible in a short period of time ( a little more than a book a day).  It struck me, esp. in Genesis, how it read like the story of family.  It's a story, an interesting one, and it's written in plain, direct, understated language.  It's not like reading about mythological gods who are more like humans with super-sized apetites.  Reading it in large chunks helped me appreciate the drama, with God and this one particular family at the center of the action.

Welcome To My Blog Church!!!

Hey Church,

I wanted to start a blog for you to see my thoughts and communicate to you things coming up.  Encourage you to follow me so you get all the updates!

Pastor Rick