Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Saturday, 19 July 2014 "I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds"

Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Saturday, 19 July 2014 "I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds"
Daily Scripture: Psalm 71:12-16 God, don’t just watch from the sidelines.
    Come on! Run to my side!
My accusers—make them lose face.
    Those out to get me—make them look
Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you,
    and daily add praise to praise.
I’ll write the book on your righteousness,
    talk up your salvation the livelong day,
    never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
    I post signs marking his right-of-way.
17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth,
    God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I’m telling the world your wonders;
    I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray.
God, don’t walk off and leave me
    until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
    news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
    ways, O God.
God, you’ve done it all!
    Who is quite like you?
You, who made me stare trouble in the face,
    Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
    I’ve been to the bottom;
Bring me up, streaming with honors;
    turn to me, be tender to me,
And I’ll take up the lute and thank you
    to the tune of your faithfulness, God.
I’ll make music for you on a harp,
    Holy One of Israel.
When I open up in song to you,
    I let out lungsful of praise,
    my rescued life a song.
All day long I’m chanting
    about you and your righteous ways,
While those who tried to do me in
    slink off looking ashamed.
Reflection Question:
Our youth-obsessed culture often suggests that our value ends at 65, or some other arbitrary age. But why wait that long? Our culture also celebrates retiring early—being able to stop "working" by age 45 or 50. The issue is, how shall we use the extra time "retirement" gives us? Psalm 71 offered a different perspective from the investment company ads that picture a kind of perpetual, self-indulgent vacation. The psalmist saw sharing God's love and power as a lifelong calling, exclaiming, "I'm still proclaiming your wondrous deeds!...even in my old age with gray hair, don't abandon me, God! Not until I tell generations about your mighty arm, tell all who are yet to come about your strength."
Whether you're 21 or 81, to what extent can you join the psalmist in saying, "You've taught me since my youth, God, and I'm still proclaiming your wondrous deeds!"? To help people find the good way for life's second half, Resurrection has a new "Crossroads Ministry." To learn more about this ministry, visit www.cor.org/crossroads. Whatever your age, find ways of joining the psalmist in resolving, "Lord, I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds."
Family Activity:
This week, we rejoice that our senior pastor, Rev. Adam Hamilton, celebrates his 50th birthday! Birthdays are fun times to look back on where we have been and ahead to where we are going. Ask each family member to talk about past family birthday celebrations. Share memories of decorations, food, people, gifts and party locations. Have each person share how they feel on their birthday and why they feel that way. Invite each person to draw a timeline of some of their favorite moments in their lives, then add dreams and hopes each person has for the years ahead. Pray and thank God for the gift of life. Ask God to guide and help you each day! (And ask God to guide and bless Pastor Adam, too!)
Today's Prayer:
Lord God, that's a big challenge. But I commit myself today to living a life aimed at helping others remember nothing but your righteous deeds. Please help me. Amen.
CROSSROADS-Navigating the Second Half of Your Life
Pastor Clayton Smith (left) and Dave Wilson wrote the interviews featured in this week’s Insights blog. The full stories will be published in an upcoming book: Journey to Significance, to be published by Beacon Hill in early 2015.
Before Mike relocated to Kansas City, he and his wife Donna were well-known, respected church and community leaders in their hometown. He served as the lay leader in his church. He was the president of his university alumni council. He practiced law in private practice before becoming a federal prosecuting attorney. Service was a priority to Mike and Donna.
Together they were blessed with family and many friends in this university community. I know all this and more about Mike and Donna because I served as their pastor for eight years in Cape Girardeau, Missouri (population 40,000). Mike taught my daughter and son in high school church classes. I can say that Mike, like Nehemiah, has the spiritual gift of leadership. I am so pleased that I now continue to be their pastor and friend here at Resurrection.
Mike reports that his career practicing law taught him several lessons that prepared them for a meaningful retirement. They had learned that family was their first priority, so they moved here to be grandparents! They were willing to say goodbye to their community status, security and the satisfaction that comes with respect from many friends. Retirement relocation offered a new challenges, opportunities, and ways to serve with significance.
I hope you know someone like Mike. I have admired and loved Mike and Donna for nearly twenty years. They have all the qualities of servant leaders. At the heart of Christian ministry is God’s outreaching love for others. They are a witness to the mind and mission of Christ lived out. They are like so many others at Resurrection who are retired—they have found significance and joy in serving!
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