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The Vicissitudes of Old Age
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)In the small community where I grew up, there was an elderly lady known as Mother Barker, believed to be over 80 years old. Despite her advanced age, she walked everywhere, covering long distances to shop for her family's food, even though it meant miles of travel on foot. She was a local legend, seen all over town, dressed entirely in black, and her tenacity in meeting family needs through such sacrifice left a lasting impression. Old age, as my mother once told me matter-of-factly, is not for sissies. She lived to be 93, though in her final years, Alzheimer's robbed her of recognition of her own family. Her words echo the challenges and vicissitudes of elderly years, a term describing the unevenness and stress that often accompany aging, rather than a lifting of burdens. I also recall an aged couple from Orange County, California, who in their youth traveled to central Texas in a covered wagon on rutted trails. They built their own sod house and lived a rugged life, embodying the hardships and resilience often required in old age. Their stories, like those of Mother Barker, reflect a lifetime of experiences and the enduring strength needed to face the twilight years.
Good Old Age
Sermonette by James BeaubelleAlways understanding that it is God who orders life, our success at a good life depends on our yielding to His direction. We will reap what we sow.
Deadlines
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityIn a recent study, scientists declared that, regardless of lifestyle or environmental factors, each human being has a clock with its own expiration date.
Consider the End!
'Ready Answer' by StaffEven in death, we should show love toward our survivors, which we can do by taking certain legal and organizational steps now to cover this eventuality.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Forty): Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEcclesiastes 12:1-14 emphasizes the brevity and the progressively harder difficulties of life and urges youth to seek God before the decline of old age.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Four)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasWe must respond to our precious calling, choosing permanent eternal spiritual treasures, such as knowing God.
Precious Human Treasures
Article by StaffWe live in a youth-oriented culture, yet the elderly have a great deal to offer — if we will only pay attention and not push them to the margins of society.
The Purposes of Aging
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughModern society is obsessed with youth and staying young, but aging is a natural process God intended as part of life. Aging is a process for gaining wisdom.
The Joy of Aging
Commentary by David F. MaasStudies show that instead of deteriorating, the senior brain, if it has been sufficiently exercised, actually grows stronger as it reaches 70 years old.
Increasing Your Life Span
Commentary by Martin G. CollinsPeople entering retirement often experience degrees of depression brought about by deteriorating health status and the feeling of no longer being needed.
Make a Widow's Heart Sing
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingIf we want to follow Almighty God, we will strive to protect the rights of the vulnerable, particularly the widows—tantamount to serving our Lord and Savior.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Thirty-Eight): Ecclesiastes 11:1-8
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSolomon counsels us to exercise diligence, work hard, plan for disruptions, obstacles, and roadblocks, spreading risk to work within this futile world.
Ecclesiastes and the Feast of Tabernacles (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod emphasizes Ecclesiastes during the Feast of Tabernacles to show the result of doing whatever our human heart leads us to do. The physical cannot satisfy.
Still Producing Fruit?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOld age begins at age sixty and continues until death. During this stage individuals often retire from their careers and have significant free time available for activities such as golf or gentle exercise. However this period tends to involve frequent visits to medical professionals. Unlike earlier stages of life which feature growth activity and anticipation old age frequently appears marked by uncertainty and reduced positivity. People in old age possess considerable knowledge wisdom and free time yet many cease to pursue dreams or set goals resulting in diminished productivity. Warnings exist against the temptations to coast through cynicism or resistance to embracing advanced years. The expectation remains that individuals continue producing fruit through active growth and service regardless of age.
The Days of Our Lives
'WorldWatch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe world's population is aging, along with their leaders. Will they be wise "hoary heads" or become old fools suffering diminished mental capacity?
Don't Stop, Keep Moving
Sermon by Mike FordThe priest Eli is a tragic example of someone who began his tenure with energy, but coasted into complacency, eventually winking at flagrant sin in his sons.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Neither Satan nor his demons cause us to sin; we chose to sin, and we die as a result. We were created upright, but bring judgment on ourselves.