Today my friend Charles Fake becomes something he has never been before. He is now an octogenarian. He is scheduled to be one for the next ten years, like it or not. I hope he makes it.
As most of my readers know (all five of you) Charles was pastor here in Rockport for more than thirty years. He has retired more times than I can remember. Something is always happening on his way to retirement.....like another church needing his great preaching, gentle spirit, and keen wit. He is at present interim pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Ingleside. Lucky them!
What words of wisdom can be imparted to a man of eighty whose mind is sharp? I guess you can try some George Burns. George said: "By the time you are eighty years old you've learned everything.You only have to remember it."
Barzillai, the Gileadite, who had hosted Mephibosheth while he was in Mahanaim, and was quite wealthy, said to the king, "How many more years will I live that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is good and what is not?Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of men and women singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord, the king? (Sounded like he was ready to retire.)
On the other hand, there is the case of Moses and Aaron: "Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them. Moses was EIGHTY YEARS OLD and Aaron EIGHTY THREE when they spoke to Pharaoh." (Exodus 7:6)
Barzillai or Moses? What will it be? Brother Charles Fake has surely taken the Moses trail. We hope it will be a long one.
(That word at the top is "eighty years of age" in Japanese. I learned it about......fifteen minutes ago....I think.)
