centenarians....i'll be there in 48 years!

the united methodist church in livingston (ca) celebrated their centennial this past week-end! wah-hoo! even bishop brown was there. while i was in sacramento (central), we celebrated their 150th! i graduated from high school, and we were the class of 1976 -- the 250th year of our nation. longevity is a big deal! it is a time for celebration -- and stay up-to-date.

one of my new best friends if 'the costco connection'; it comes out monthly, and i love to read about this and that; this september issue had a brief article entitled, 'be on top with pop', about pop culture and the latest trends, and results from 100 centenarians that were interviewed for this article! the secrets of longevity? laughter and prayer, along with, of course, being socially active, eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

but they noted that 8% of the centenarians texted or instant messaged. wow! now that's up-to-date! 1/3 of those interviewed eat organic foods!

we here at the united methodist church in merced, have two centenarians; they are being cared for by their daughters, and they live at home, and they get out and about! awesome! what we could learn from them....how they have seen the world change.

change. staying current. remembering the past, and living into the future. these are things that keep us living -- plus, of course, laughter and prayer!

i invite you to take some time when we finishing reading this blog today, and reflect upon the changes that have taken place in your lifetime. having celebrated my 52nd birthday this past week, i remember learning to type on a manual typewriter, then transitioning to a portable electric, and finally keyboarding on a computer. yet, i still write, and like to receive handwritten notes, even though e-mails and texting are quick and personal too. we don't have to do just one or the other; we can celebrate the things we liked in the past, and enjoy new technology. the best of both worlds. it will keep us growing and learning, and moving; stopping and planting our feet in the ground (besides realizing that is what a two-year-old does!), doesn't get us anywhere. and isn't moving with the spirit what life is about?

here at the united methodist church of merced, we are in a world of change. and we don't know what that change will look like yet. but we are inviting everyone to share in the journey. we have developed small groups, who are reading a blueprint for discipleship by kevin watson; in it, he helps us take john wesley's ideas (the founder of methodism back in england in the 1700's), and explore them in a contemporary way. 'do no harm, do good, and practice the christian disciplines (put your faith into 'action')' are things that have worked for people growing in their faith for hundreds of years. when we stop growing, well....you know!

we know we have having to change. and believe me, i understand it is not easy, or for some, even desirable. but you know what? based on the story of creation, each new day was an adventure; something new, and it hasn't stopped yet. sure, we were encouraged to rest! but we have never been told to do the 'same old, same old'. only to step out in faith.....

so, are you envisioning yourself as a centenarian? can you believe that you can learn something new once each day? do you have the faith to practice what you've learned to make them, natural, so that you might say to yourself, "how in the world did i get along all these years without...(fill in the blank)?!"

we also had a new birth in the congregation last week. can you imagine what he'll experience in the next 100 years? Wouldn't it be great for him and for you, to have a mentor in his faith development? Or, if not mentoring him, discover who you might want to mentor. Who mentored you? How do we help each other and our world reach the years ahead?

it's not too late! spend some time learning and growing; share yourself and your wisdom and your faith with someone else. and, if you haven't done so already, send a note to someone who has mentored you, just to say thanks. and if that person is no longer living, live your life as a thanksgiving to their faith in you!

care to share a story of someone who has made an impact on your life? they don't have to be a centenarian....they could be anyone! the gift is in the sharing.....