APPLES TO APPLES: One of our new friends at Grace Bible Church introduced us to the table game, "Apples to Apples" at our Home Group last evening. In the game there is a fully empowered judge whose decision is absolute and final. Players are permitted to try to persuade the judge's decision. After several less than veiled inferences to Illinois politics, we played the game and we soon learned that it did little good to appeal to the judge's mercy. In fact, the one at the table who never even once appealed to the judge at all was the one who finally won the game. I am joyfully adoring God this morning because He is a far different Judge. He is full of mercy and grace. "There are two things of which God is said to have the monopoly: He is 'the God of all grace' and He is 'the God of all comfort.' All grace comes from Him, all lasting comfort comes from Him." When the game really counts (the game of life), I have every hope of pleading my cause and winning my appeal. Like David said, "His mercies are new every morning." Well, in case you wondered, I didn't win 'Apples to Apples'. Maybe next time I'll learn just to keep quiet and hope for the judge's mercy. Not!! I never intend to keep quiet, but daily plead my cause to The Judge that really counts.

PHONE CALLS: John, speaking of those whom he had led to the Lord, said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth". That's true with our spiritual children and with our biological kids. I got a phone call today from one whom God allowed me to lead to faith in Christ. Watching that person handle tough issues with the truth makes every hour invested more than worth it. I also heard from all of my kids today. Hearing about all that they face and how they are facing it (with the Word), makes all those hours, days, weeks, months, years, dollars, teaching moments, sleepless nights, trips to the doctor, etc. worth it. They'll all be home for the holidays. I'll be washing dishes and washing dishes and did I mention washing dishes. But, I'll enjoy every moment of it because, while standing at the kitchen sink, they'll tell me about facing life's issues with the Word and "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth". Lord, keep those phone calls coming from my spiritual and biological kids. It keeps this 59 year old feeling like 39.

MISSION LOST: Years ago I read the story of a ship that wrecked on rocks near the shoreline. The survivors who made it to shore noticed several ships had been destroyed and lives lost in the same spot. It motivated them to give their lives to watch for ships and warn them, rescuing them from disaster. Soon, so many had been saved, they decided to build a shed and fill it with life-saving equipment to aid them on their mission. As more were rescued, people began to pay more attention to the shed and equipment than to the lives of those in danger. In short, they did what many churches have done, they lost sight of their mission. The real mission of the Church is not to keep the people in the building happy, satisfied and content, nor is it to keep the equipment well preserved, but to pursue those outside the walls of the building with the Hope that Jesus offers.

ENCORE: I have done a ton of research on Baby Boomers, the first of which applied for SS at the beginning of this year. In the middle of the last century, people lived an average of one year beyond retirement; that has now grown to an average in excess of twenty years. Soooo, the new motto for the Baby Boomer (of which I am proudly one): "Eighty is the new sixty!" And, if that is true (and it is), then SIXTY is the new FORTY. Additionally, by the year 2025, those over 65 will outnumber teens by two to one. These realities are forcing businesses and churches to take a fresh look at their attitudes toward and appreciation of this aging generation. They have health, energy, and experience which enables them to be a significant part of business and church life. I am invigorated by the dream of continuing to have a major role in significant service in the "Encore Years" of my adult life. The "silver sunami" is here!!! Look out generation x'rs -- here we come!!!