I’ve had many people pass through my cardiac stress lab bemoaning the fact that the “golden years” were not as golden as they had imagined.
Aches, pains, surgeries, disabilities, you name it, they’ve claimed it.
(and yes, I'm there myself at times).
There’s plenty of advice you can give people.
Carpe diem,
Live today like it’s your last,
Make every day count,
Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today,
But what better advice can we give than what’s in the Bible?
Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.
Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop.
Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 NLT
I like this translation!
1. It’s fresh and readable.
2. It clearly illuminates the metaphors in the text.
3. With the repetition of the word “Remember”, it continually draws one back to the message, “while you are young".
The New Living Translation inserts the word, “Remember” (Hebrew = Ze-cor) into each of these verses, it’s not in the Hebrew text.
In fact, in this chapter the word is only used in the first verse in Hebrew.
Yes, I still like this version!
No, it’s not word-for-word literal it’s so much clearer.
Rob
Those Golden years
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Deacon, Sep 16, 2008.
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What don't hurt, I can't move :)
// There’s plenty of advice you can give people.
Carpe diem,
Live today like it’s your last,
Make every day count,
Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today, //
I've recently found another to add to your list:'Normal' is a washer setting ONLY.-- YBIC: Ed Edwards,
-- on his own personal join-MEDICARE month (age 65 this month) -
A friend of mine who has written 2 books already is signing another 3 book deal with Harvest House. One of her books will be about just this issue. She really feels that if we're to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, we need to stay strong through our older years. That means taking care of our bodies while we're still younger and can prevent damage that would affect our ministry capabilities as we age. :)
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes, make every day count .... for Him, for your family, for your friends, for your own self esteem
And don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. If you have a goal or dream go after it, don't wait. Be bold, do something!
I have read that at the end of life it is not the things that were done that most people regret, but the things they did not do. -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Here are two stories from the office.
1. A man who retired in his mid-50's comes in for a stress test.
I asked him what he did with his time now that he has retired.
He watches T.V.
He spent his whole life waiting to retire and now all he does is watch daytime T.V.
- - - what a waste!!!
I have determined not to retire until I have to.
2. LOL in NAD (little old lady in no apparent distress) visits the doc for a routine visit, she's in her mid 90's.
"Doc", she says, "I think my best years are behind me".
He laughs and asks, "When were the best years?"
"Oh, somewhere between 45 and 85"
There you have it, life begins at 45!!!!
Rob -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Away from home we have worked as volunteers in China, I twice, six months each, my wife once for 9 months. Since 2005 we have spent from 4 to 6 months each year working as volunteers at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, Czech Republic. This year we will spend a total of 7 1/2 months there. She is there now teaching English as a Second Language to new students. I will continue working in the library.
I tell people I didn't retire, I just reached a point where the company would pay me not to come to work there. That released me to work as a volunteer elsewhere. I promosed God if doors opened I would go through them. He has opened doors and it has been GREAT.
My view is, retire as soon as you can and then go out and do good things for the Lord. -
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I think the whole point of the passage was to say,
"Dont wait for retirement, do it now!"
Rob -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter