Awesome Aging

God made Church discipline to be appropriate at times. God did not design Church discipline to be eternal. God through the Apostle Paul asked the Corinthian Church to ask a man who had sexual relations with his father's wife to leave the Church (1 Corinthians 5.) Later Paul encouraged the Church to welcome him back into their group. 

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 Amplified Bible, "But if someone [the one among you who committed incest] has caused [all this] grief and pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure, not to put it too severely, [he has distressed] all of you. For such a one this censure by the majority [which he has received is] sufficient [punishment]. So [instead of further rebuke, now] you should rather turn and [graciously] forgive and comfort and encourage [him], to keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive sorrow and despair. I therefore beg you to reinstate him in your affections and assure him of your love for him"

Fashion Designer John Galliano was dismissed in 2011 from the house of Dior after a drunken party in a Parisian cafe that included him saying, "I love Hitler," says The New York Times in the February 14, 2013, article "Tentative Step By Fallen Star To Come Back."

Jesus Christ is for a good party with alcohol. He changed water to wine well after a lot of wine was consumed at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee, Israel (John 2.) However, drunkenness is dumb and false joy. Ephesians 5:18 Amplified Bible says, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit."

"Celebrare ante el Rey.(Celebrate before the King)," sings Abel Zavala in his song "Unanimes" on the album Jesus mi fiel amigo. What about churches having more praise parties with humor, good music and other celebrations of life that are fun? Read my article, "Heart Disease, Depression and Christianity."

And after a good praise party, the mood is set for much, hot and spicy marital sex for couples of all ages. Sexual love doesn't have to end when we reach a certain age. Jack, a character in the romantic comedy Don Juan DeMarco, says to Marilyn, his wife of more than 30 years, "You have very, very beautiful eyes." Marilyn comments, "Come on. You know I have to go upstairs, and um I'm going to take my calcium so my bones don't break into little pieces, my aspirin so my heart doesn't clog up, my Metamucil so I don't get colon cancer, and of course my estrogen to convince my body that I'm still 23." Jack responds, "Come here." They kiss, and marital, senior sex ensues.

Abraham also enjoyed marital, senior sex. Abraham had his first child at 86 and seven more stretching well into his 100s.

In God's eyes age is just a number not a reason to stop living a full, enjoyable life advancing God's Kingdom through relationship building.

If you are not making frequent delicious with your spouse, contact a Bible teacher, Bible counselor, Christian sex therapist and/or Christian marriage counselor. God designed sexual relations for spouses to give and to receive enjoyment from each other while strengthening their marriage. Whether one screams out in passion, silently savors sex or is somewhere in between, marital sex is made for merriment. Solomon writes in Proverbs 5 The Message Bible, "Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—don’t ever quit taking delight in her body."

Sex at 60 and beyond may not be the same as sex at 25, but then again it may be even better. Moses was married, and he was also in his right mind and healthy body up to death at 120. Imagine the sexual expertise and possibilities!

Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher of North Carolina have been married 85 years (86 in May 2013) and hold the Guinness World Record for the longest marriage of a living couple. Zelmyra is 101 years old. Herbert is 104 years old. They have 5 children, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild -- another good testimony against abortion and for life, legacy and immortality. Please read my article, "Big is Beautiful."

How did the Fishers stay married so long? They are Christians who are good lovers and good friends. Solomon's Shulammite wife says about Solomon in Song of Solomon 5:16 New Living Translation Bible, "His mouth is sweetness itself, he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend."

Not only do married people need friends, so do singles. Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta, who is 80 years old, and others are helping Galliano reestablish himself in the fashion business after working on his alcoholism and attitude.

The New York Times in the February 14, 2013, article "Tentative Step By Fallen Star To Come Back" reports about Galliano, "He was punished because of what he said, and I think deservedly so," Mr. Foxman said. "But if he's punished for the rest of his life, he will become an anti-Semite."" Mr. Foxman is Abraham H. Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Oscar de la Renta is well past the American traditional retirement age. Jack decides not to retire and to continue his psychiatry profession. Brazilian writer Paul Coelho writes in the introduction to his book, The Alchemist, which has sold more than two million copies and been translated in 52 languages, "What is a personal calling? It is God's blessing, it is the path that God chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend." 

Age is not a barrier to following our legend. Coelho switched careers in his 40s to become a writer, and he is still writing in his 60s.

We do not have to do the same profession all of our adult life. The apostles Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen who became ministers.

Many people are missing their legend for multiple reasons. The ultimate reason is that they are refusing to listen to and let God lead their lives.

February 10, 2013, marked the beginning of the Chinese New Year. What about celebrating a new release of self-centeredness and embracing God's plans for our lives without any reservations?

God is also for us taking frequent breaks from the regular work routine and resting and celebrating. In the Old Testament God set-up feasts and Sabbaths that lasted sometimes more than one day. It would be good to separate Abraham Lincoln's birthday from President's Day. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, encouraging border states to outlaw slavery, helped push through Congress the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which finally freed all the slaves nationwide in December 1865, led the United States through the American Civil War preserving the Union and battled periods of depression.

Black History isn't just for or by black people. No people's history is just for and by them. Collaboration has been and always will be part of the creative process of bettering the human race.

Paisa (Money) is also a necessary part of the process. People can be trained to the highest, hardworking and still broke. Bucks are needed to boost businesses and other entrepreneurial efforts off the ground. Read my article "Faith, Fear and Japanese Americans." People who were in the bottom 20 percent of income earners in their societies, but are now in the top 20 percent, please share about the financial assistance you received during your climb. Lovers are generous givers.

"I am on a mission, a mission of love," sings Donna Summer in her song, "Love is the Healer."

1 John 4:16 Amplified Bible says, "And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him."

Youth Uprising

Sometimes when we are young we dismiss ourselves and others dismiss the possibility of us making significant contributions to society. When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, Jeremiah responded in the book of Jeremiah 1:6 Amplified Bible, "Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth."

But Jeremiah did not speak the truth. God gave Jeremiah the ability to speak well before the foundation of the world. Just like God gave Jared Sawyer, Jr., the ability to speak and to sing well before the foundation of the world. Sawyer is a 15-year-old, African American who is a minister, singer, musician and author who has had opportunities to share his gifts internationally. Sawyer says on his website jaredsawyerjr.com, "Truthfully, it is so easy for us to recognize the nugatory aspects of our life. It is effortless for us to acknowledge the bad things that are going on in our life, whether it is sickness or pain, storms and rain, foreclosure, unemployment, and the list continues. But, it is of great, internal comfort to focus less on the problems of life that have the tendency to bring us down, and focus more on the greatness of our God. Psalm 145, verse 3, states “Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”"

Samantha Marquez is a 16-year-old scientist, entrepreneur, innovator and activist. Marquez developed a hollow structure of cells that she named Celloidosomes. Celloidosomes can be used for liver reconstruction. They also have application in Tissue Engineering, Bioengineering, Environmental Science, Genetic Engineering and cell/drug delivery as well as many other fields of science. Since discovering Celloidosomes, Marquez has published several peer-reviewed papers and presented her research work around the United States, China, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica and Russia, where she won first place in the International Space Olympics. 

Marquez, who is now working on her 8th patent, is also an advocate for the Latino community, encouraging Latino youth and women to develop a passion for science and community activism.

Rachel Chan is a 16-year-old who performs Contemporary Christian music. Chan sings and co-writes the songs on her debut album, Go, released January 10, 2012.

Some may have tried to hinder Sawyer, Marquez and Chan because of their youthful age thinking they are too young to know and to do much. Sometimes our view of people is too small. We serve the God of more than enough. He does many things big and extravagantly. God does not practice age discrimination. God is no respecter of persons. He will do great things through whomsoever is willing to cooperate with Him.

Ask God to improve our vision, so that we can see people as they truly are and what they truly can be. Stop thinking in terms of limits and negativity. Our God is good, and He dreams and does great things. Ask God to give us hearts and minds willing and able to help people be all that they can be no matter the age of the person.

African American, Latino American and Asian American youth in the public eye was something that did not happen fifty years ago. But today Martin Luther King's dream has come true. Minister and Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."

Please share on-line stories about young people doing good things in public.