OLD IS GOLD!? I. GOLDEN STATISTICS—IS OLD GOLD? When is Old Old? When is Old Gold? The Golden Scriptures The Golden Samples The Golden Statements

II. GOLDEN SERVICE – CAN OLD BE GOLD? A. Be a Spiritual/Community Consultant B. Be a Servant in the Church C. Be Enterprising in your Silver Sixties and Golden Seventies

A. WHEN IS “OLD” OLD? When does Someone Attain Old Age? At what age do you consider yourself old? - the Malaysian Government considers 56 years as old.

“Old Age” is really a social category that is defined differently by various cultures. Statistics: In the United States, “old” is defined in a number of ways as defined in their various Acts: Age 40 and beyond – no discrimination in employment Age 55 – subsidized employment for low income individuals; they learn new work skills Age 60 – eligibility for Older Americans Act services

d. Age 62 - persons can take “early retirement” e. Age 65 - the “traditional” age for full retirement. Now for people born after 1938, it varies from 65 to 67. f. Age 70 – mandatory retirement for the members of some professions.

2. What are the physical or mental indications that tell you that you are old? Hard of Hearing? Waning Vision? Aches and Arthritis/Rheumatism setting in? Difficulties with Diet and Digestion? Forgetting and Failing to remember?

Statistics: Typically, the beginnings of change in the five senses are as follows Hearing – the mid 40’s Vision – the mid 50’s Touch – the mid 50’s Taste – the late 50’s Smell – the mid 70’s Because individuals cope differently, the effect of those aging losses differs with individuals

B. IS OLD GOLD? For GOD, Old is Gold – Consider these Golden Scriptures i. Isa.46:4 (NIV) Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you;……and I will rescue you. ii. Psa.37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

iii. Psa.71:9 Let my mouth be filled with praise and with thy honour all the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. iv. Psa.71:18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. v. 1Tim.5:9,10 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty.

vi. Psalm 92:12-15 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

b. Consider these Golden Samples i. Caleb: - Forty years old; forty and five years; fourscore and five years old. Josh.14:6-14 I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now…..give me this mountain. ii. Anna: - a widow of about fourscore and four years. Lk.2:37,38 worshipped night and day, fasting and praying iii. Moses:- Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Deut.34:7

2. For Certain Others, Old can still be Gold – Consider these Golden Statements:

Satchel Paige Age is a question of mind over matter Satchel Paige Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

b. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself, though in another dress, And as the evening twilight fades away, The sky is filled with stars invisible by day.

c. Samuel Ullman: Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

d. Shakespeare: I never knew so young a body with so old a head

Melinda Doolittle of American Idol was eliminated from the Contest – she may have been the oldest of the sixth season finalists, but Doolittle said you’re never too old to do something new.

“The biggest thing that I will take away is that I know that I was really scared to do this at the beginning, and the fact that I was able to step out and do it even in the midst of fear kind of just gave me an outlook on how strong God has helped me become and how much I’ve grown from it” she said. “I found my own voice as opposed to my own voice singing background and I couldn’t have asked for more from this experience.”

3. For the person Concerned – Old can be Gold 3. For the person Concerned – Old can be Gold. Over the years, he has accumulated: More Experiences – Be they Blissful, Blessed and/or Bitter More Expediency to handle People in Practical situations More Expertise – in spiritual, mental, physical, social, professional skills, etc.

4. For others Connected with the person – Old may or may not be Gold. For the Person concerned. To be Gold to others: Grow Old Gracefully – Grumble not! Live out God’s Graces beautifully – Grouch not! Tit.2:2-5 iii. Be Relevant and be a Referent – Get out of the shell!

b. For other People Treat them not as Old nor leave them out in the Cold – get their Advice 1Tim.5:4 Treasure them as Gold and bring them into your Fold – be their Associates. 1 Tim.5:1,2 Respect them and Regard their being Consult them and seek their Counsel

Thus far: GOLDEN STATISTICS – IS OLD GOLD? Now: II. GOLDEN SERVICE – CAN OLD BE GOLD? BE A SPIRITUAL/COMMUNITY CONSULTANT

IN A LIFE-LONG PROCESS OF LEARNING B. BE A SERVANT IN THE CHURCH Practise good deeds – Well reported of for good works; 1Tim 5:10 Pass on good counsel – That they may teach the younger….to be…. Tit.2:2-5 (NIV) Pursue Purposeful Development – Be relevant and be a Referent! Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed 2Tim. 2:1 IN A LIFE-LONG PROCESS OF LEARNING

C. BE ENTERPRISING IN YOUR SILVER SIXTIES AND GOLDEN SEVENTIES Psa. 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

A Senior reaching his Seventy Blessed 70th Birthday

LIFE BEGINS FOR A SENIOR IN HIS SEVENTIES Up to the Seventies – God intends Life to be a Blessing. After the Seventies – Life is God’s Bonus Day by Day enjoy His Blessing, and be a Blessing

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Old is Gold! The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock” Psalm 92:12-15

Your Golden Years Ever be Years of Gold To You and to All Old is Gold! May God Grant… Your Golden Years Ever be Years of Gold To You and to All