"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 still stay fresh and green." (Psalm 92:12-14)

"To expect people to act in a 'good and godly' way when they have not been taught what a good and godly lifestyle encompasses is difficult. Often people come into [an ecclesia] knowing what specific behaviors in their lives are ungodly, but they are never taught godly behaviors which can replace those ungodly ones. It has been proven countless times that the best way to teach a person a skill is to model that skill and then allow him to try it himself. Living a victoriously godly life is no different, and Paul's challenge to the men and women of the [ecclesias] in Crete survives to challenge men and women in [ecclesias] across the globe today. If there is to be a new generation of men and women to rise up and actively to pursue righteousness and holiness in their daily lives, elder men and women must answer God's call to model lives of righteousness and holiness and in turn encourage those coming behind them to come alongside and learn the ways of an actively good and Christ-like life."

"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31)

"As a grandparent God wants me to model my faith and be a positive role model to my grandchildren (II Tim. 1:5). I would do this by living my faith and being actively involved in spiritual growth opportunities at home and [in the ecclesia]. As a grandparent God wants me to encourage my grandchildren in their faith. My conversation with them would also involve spiritual matters and in this way the wisdom I would share with them would include spiritual wisdom. As a grandparent God also wants me to pray for my grandchildren, knowing that 'the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective' (James 5:16)."

"Encourage Bible study between the kids and the grandparents. This can be done either in person, through the mail or by phone. One long-distance grandmother I know has her 8-year-old grandson choose a Bible verse each week. They both read it and then get on the phone and talk about what it means. Together they agree to put the scriptural message into daily practice throughout the course of the week and then share their experiences the next time they talk."

"Give your children the gift of their grandparents. Let them experience a grandparent's unconditional love. Allow them to know their grandparent who can also become the family historian, spiritual leader, teacher, support system, safety net, mentor, role model and playmate."

"But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you." {Titus 2:1-8}

"Timothy, taught by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, knew the Holy Scripture from his childhood. We heard an elderly sister once make the statement, 'A child should never be able to remember the first time they heard of God.' This can only be done by teaching them from the time they are born."

"Grandparents, your role is very important. Moses said to the children of Israel, 'Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances ... make them known to your children and your children's children' (Deut. 4:5,9). This means our days of teaching are not ended when our children grow up; we are to continue teaching our grandchildren. Even if we have taken our vocational retirement, there is no retirement in the Truth. Children adore their grandparents and your efforts to sow the seed in their tender minds can bear much fruit. Perhaps you feel inadequate if your work with your own children hasn't met with success, but don't be discouraged. It is all the more reason for doing a good job teaching your grandchildren. As you babysit them, let the good seed drop down into their fertile little minds. If you live close by, take the job of reviewing Sunday School lessons as the situation permits. As the children grow older, they will often talk with a grandparent rather than a parent. Grandparents have a golden opportunity to influence their children's children."

"There is a real need in the brotherhood for pastoral counselors and wise mentors. Our young people, absorbed in the tasks of raising children and providing livings for their families, can encounter a vast range of problems. They should be able to turn to faithful parents or respected older brothers and sisters for guidance derived from the Word of God and from the school of experience. Older sisters must not shun this work and, as they minister to their own families, so they should be prepared to serve the needs of their spiritual families as a wise mother in Israel. The virtuous woman 'opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.'"

"Under the law of Moses, the Levites served from 25 to 50 years old in the service of the tabernacle. However their service did not terminate at 50 but merely changed as to the nature of their work. Up to 50 they were 'to wait upon the service (Heb. ware the warfare) of the tabernacle of the congregation.' After 50, the Levites were 'to minister (to serve, wait on) with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge...'. It is suggested that up to 50 the Levites served in a more vigorous, physical way, and after 50, the service was a more pastoral type. Since we are a spiritual priesthood, the principle can be applied to our lives."

"The grandparents are looked up to, the children rise up before the hoary head and respect the principles of the elders. How grievous to see so much of the reverse in this age! Let faithful grandparents and elderly brethren speak out! They have lived in days of lesser evil and deeper convictions, and blessed are the young people who receive their regular counsel. In our homes and in our meetings let us help our children to know and love 'the hoary head... if it be found in the way of righteousness' (Prov. 16:31). So might the heart of the fathers be turned to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers (Mal. 4:6). 'Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, and peace upon Israel' (Ps. 128:6)."

"Much was to be learned by the young from the elder. Wisdom was passed down through the family. Youth had good cause to remember the Creator in its day, as it saw the frailties of life slowly overtake parents and grandparents."

"Praying and fastings are very becoming for aged women, and in the early [ecclesia] Paul wrote to Timothy recommending that 'she that is a widow indeed, and is desolate, trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers, night and day' (I Tim. 5:5). Widowhood and old age can produce a venerableness of character. It can be a life crowned with service, if that service is prayer on another's behalf and a supplication for the Word of the Lord to be magnified and His name glorified. Such can be an antidote to sorrow."

"In your desire to promote Unity of Spirit and concerted movement among believers of the Truth, you appeal to the hearts of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ and the service which pertains to his cause in the earth--to render aid and comfort and material help--as well as in your present efforts to realize substantial progress in this work."

"The hope of seeing Jerusalem in her glory; of having the illustrious men we read of in the Holy Oracles as permanent companions; of an introduction to large numbers of Angels, yea, and many other pleasant surprises in addition; for we read that at God's right hand are pleasures for evermore. Would we have such an anchor of the soul? Then the order is: 'Tribulation worketh patience; patience, experience; and experience, hope." But we would say to the rising generation of those that fear God, and to all readers, that the tribulation is nothing compared to its value. Lay hold of it, and cling to it tenaciously as to a pearl of great price. Should our Lord tarry, it will protect you in youth, guide you through life; and be a consolation, a joy, and a cause of much thankfulness in old age."

"Who would exchange for shooting blade the waving, golden grain?
Or, when the corn is fully ripe, would wish it green again?
And who would wish the hoary head found in the way of truth,
To be again encircled with the sunny locks of youth?

For though in truth the outward may perish and decay,
The inward man shall be renewed by grace from day to day;
They who are planted by the Lord, unshaken by their root,
E'en in old age shall flourish still, and still bring forth much fruit.

It is not years that make men old; the spirit may be young
Though for three score and ten the wheels of life have run;
God has Himself recorded in His glorious Word of Truth
That those who wait upon the Lord, they shall renew their youth.

And when the eyes now dim and weak shall then behold the King,
And ears now dull with age shall hear the saints victorious sing,
And on the head now hoary shall be placed the crown of gold,
Then shall be known the lasting joy of never growing old."

"Some regretfully speak of growing old and going downhill, but we should rather think of it as climbing higher and higher, and of getting nearer the things we long for. What a comfortable promise for those advancing in years--for the aged believer is this: 'Thine age shall be clearer than the noon-day; thou shalt be as the morning.'"

"What have we gained with the passing years?
Ah! Treasures that repay;
We would not change them for all our wealth,
Old time hath borne away!
Knowledge and faith and truth and love,
More deep than youth can know.
True light now shines upon our way,
The way of life to show."

*This month's posts are directed towards elders in the ecclesia and grandparents.