According to Henri F. Amiel, "To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living." Everyone wants to live a long time, but no one seems to want to grow old. We even sing the song, "Never Grow Old," which is one of the most appealing features about our eternal home in heaven. The apostle Paul felt torn between his desire to go on and be with the Lord and the church's need for him to remain on earth preaching (Philippians 1:21-26). For all of us who still remain upon this earth, we too should continue to teach God's truth as long as we live.

Please permit me a few personal reflections in this article today. As the years pass by, it is certainly customary to note certain events as "milestones" of life.

Today Beverly and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful to her mother and dad for providing such a lovely Christian lady for my wife. She comes from a wonderful Christian family. I have been truly blessed to have her love and support throughout our marriage, our children, and our service to the Lord.

This year our children are: Angela (27); Valerie (24); Bradley (20); our son-in-law Buddy (28); our grandson Luke (2). This year my years will reach the speed limit of 55. (Beverly is 3 years younger). Many of you here at LaVergne can also relate because you too are in this category known as "baby boomers" (born 1946-1964). God has been gracious to give me these 55 years.

This year also marks about 41 years since my first sermon (1965), and 35 years in located ministry. I also feel blessed to have worked with so many good congregations, especially here at LaVergne with such a wonderful congregation, elders, deacons, and staff.

If the Lord wills (James 4:14-15), I hope to see many more milestones of life with my wife, my family, and Christian friends. Robert Browning said, "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand who saith, 'A whole I planned, youth shows but half; trust God, see all, nor be afraid.'"

Likely I have surpassed my halfway point in life. Like many of you, I have more years behind me than ahead of me. Many of you have seen more milestones than I. But whatever the future holds, let each of us hold to our faith and trust in God. For as long as I live, I want to continue telling "the old, old story of Jesus and His love."