We live in a day and age when many people are living far beyond 70 years. But did you know that the bible says that man typically has 70 years of life and if he/she lives longer it is by God’s grace. 100 years or longer is not uncommon today but thousands of years ago it was not uncommon for people to live 500 to 900 years or more. I am 79 and I feel I am old and am looking forward to death and spending eternity with the God Who created me and loves me. I feel I have lived my life and am ready for it to end. But that’s me. I know not everybody feels and thinks that way.

We hear that this 70 years has not always been typical … that in the wild wild west, for instance, people typically died younger … even in their 40s and 50s. I don’t know if that is true or not, but I have heard that. I have never researched it. Of course, I don’t believe western movies are necessarily very accurate of real life during that period of time.

My mom died at 84 and my dad died at 93. My sister died at 78 I think. Some families have nearly every member dying at earlier ages … 50s, 60s and 70s while others make it into their 90s. I reckon it is all in the genes we each have.

That being said, the diet people eat can also effect longevity. Yes, what we eat can add or take off years of life. Okinawa, Japan comes to mind where most everybody lives long lives. They don’t smoke or chew or go with those that do. Seriously, they do live longer than most people groups of the world.

We here in the U.S. tend to eat a horrible diet. It is a wonder we live as long as we do. You have heard of being your own worst enemy? That’s us. I eat fairly healthy, but if I ate the things I want to eat I could not say that. My wife pretty much controls what I eat and she won’t let me eat things I would like to eat. I pretty much have to eat what she puts on my plate. One of my favorite things to eat is butterscotch pudding but I have never had any since I got married. WOE IS ME! ME IS WOE! Or something like that.

What could be more American than a good ol’ hot dog? … especially a coney island hot dog? And they are one of my favorite foods. Again, the boss won’t let me have any. If I dare mention hot dog I get a lecture on how horrible they are … unfit for human consumption … the worst ingredients imaginable.

I just had my 79th birthday and my wife arranged a big birthday party in our home with lots of guests invited and lots of food she prepared. She worked long hours day and night for 4 days to prepare it all. It was very successful and everybody enjoyed it and all the delicious food. Most of our church family were invited and came. We have lots of food from the party left over including an entire chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Nobody ate any of it. There was just so much other food including several other delicious deserts that the store bought cake went untouched. I ate a piece of it last night. It was very good and very rich and moist … just perfect. It was probably expensive too as I am pretty sure it came from a high dollar bakery which is known for good cakes. I plan on having another piece for lunch today. After all it is my birthday cake. At 79 I don’t care if it takes a year or two off of my life. I am ready to meet the Lord anytime now.

Singer/songwriter, concert and church music ministry, missionary Nancy Honeytree led us in worship in our home at my birthday party. Here is a short sampling …

HERE are more songs by Nancy Honeytree. She has learned to sing and speak in Spanish so she can minister to the Spanish speaking world. She has also learned to sing in a few other languages where she also ministers. One of the main countries she goes to to minister is Pakistan. HERE is another playlist by Nancy. And another PLAYLIST.

We all had a great time together but I doubt if we accomplished anything toward extending our lives. Ha Ha Most of us are already past the 70 year point with the exception of my wife. She is only 69. She is the one in the center of the video with the two dogs.

Well, that is about all I have to say about that. Yep, a lot of us are living on borrowed time so to speak. Many of my high school classmates are already deceased. Most of my friends from my teen years are gone. One of these days my name will be listed among them.

Yes, God gives all of us so many years and tells us that at the end of our lives comes His judgement. We all must stand before His judgement seat and give an account to Him of what we did in and with our lives. We will not only be judged for what we did or didn’t do, but for what we have said and what we have thought. God loves us very dearly, but He hates our sin which is rebellion against Him. Our sin separates us from Him because He is holy and can not allow sin in His presence. Hell was not created for humans as it was created for Satan and his demons, but God ended up using hell as the place to send those who never turned to Him with their sin and asked for forgiveness. If we die in our sin, it will be too late. Our sin will send us to hell. God has amazing grace for all who turn to Him in repentance, but He has fierce anger for those who ignore and reject Him and the salvation He alone offers. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather be on the good loving side of God than on the side of His wrath and judgement. We all have a choice and we have all already made it whether we realize it or not. It’s not too late however. Tomorrow may be too late, but now … right now it isn’t. All that is needed is repentance … being sorry for our sin realizing it is against a holy God that we rebel.

BTW, if you are afraid to die it means that deep down inside you believe that the grave is not the end of life. And you are right as we all have eternal life. It is just a matter where we will spend it.