There's an old saying that many of you have heard: The only things that are certain are death and taxes. I want to add one more: change.
As I celebrate my 60th birthday tomorrow (I know, the Land Before Time), I'm taking a moment to reflect on some of the changes in my life. I'm not talking about the obvious stuff – I have a pulpit blister (when I was once as skinny as a rail), I used to have more hair (and none of it was gray), my sons are ages 34 and 29 (and I clearly recall giving them horsey back rides – fatal if done now), I had most of my life ahead of me (and most of it is behind me), and about a hundred other things.
No, I'm talking about how great it is to be 60 years old and be cancer free (never had it, PTL!), to have been loved by Dinah for 40 years, that my parents are still living, that I have two beautiful grandchildren, that I have served the same church for over 16 years (and I enjoy seeing every person each week), that I look forward to going to the church every day to work because of my great staff, and a thousand other things.
But mostly I am celebrating that Jesus loves me this I know! I'm rejoicing that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life! I am absolutely confident I will see the Savior I've spoken of so often!
And, to a lesser extent – I declare that, though I am growing older – I refuse to grow UP!
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Blessings!
Pastor Mark
