August 21, 2017 (Monday)
A few days ago, I wrote a blog about Dale and Ann Pogue, and I called them, “Old Friends.” Dale served on the staff of First Baptist Church, Rockport, with me as pastor, for several years during the 1980s. Other “old friends” who served on a church staff with me as pastor were Troy and Ruth Conner, who served Timbergrove Baptist Church of Houston for many, many years before I became pastor, and then served there with me for about six years. Ruth was pianist and an indispensable spiritual leader in the church. Here’s a picture taken of them in 2004. They still look the same. They both had birthdays this month. Troy and I are the same age but Ruth is younger than we are. They will celebrate their 63rd wedding anniversary this year. They live in Houston.
I met Troy in 1939, at Breckenridge Elementary School in Houston, where I attended for about 3 weeks. Two years later, we were living near each other and were in Sherman Elementary in the 5th grade. Troy and his family made me a part of their family as a young boy, taking me to church and introducing me to Christ as my Savior. We have been friends now for 78 years. Hard to believe. The church we went to in Houston as young people included many friends with whom we feel a kinship after all these years. Our group is scattered now but it has stayed in touch and we love one another deeply.
OLD FRIENDS
Words by Gloria Gaither
Music by Bill Gaither and J.D. Miller
Old friends, after all of these years,
Just old friends, through laughter and tears,
Old friends, what a find, what a priceless treasure,
Old friends, like a rare piece of gold,
My old friends make it great to grow old,
Old friends, with all I will hold to old friends.
Now God must have known,
There’d be days on our own,
We would lose the will to go on,
That’s why he sent friends like you along.
Old friends, you’ve always been there,
My old friends, we’ve had more than our share,
Old friends, we’re all millionaires,
In old friends.
NATIONAL SENIOR CITIZENS DAY
Today is National Senior Citizens Day, which honors our elderly population. On this day, we are encouraged to recognize and show appreciation for the value and contribution of elderly people to home, family and society. It is celebrated on August 21 each year.
In his Presidential Proclamation establishing National Senior Citizens Day on August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan said “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute. We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older.”
On National Senior Citizens Day, we should:
Spend some time with senior citizens
Show our appreciation for senior citizens
Do volunteer work in support of the elderly
If you are a senior citizen, enjoy your day any way you desire. After all, this is your day! Make sure to take advantage of senior citizens specials and discounts. There’s bound to be plenty offers today.
There are many, many other “Senior Citizen Days” on various dates around the world. Many countries local communities and organizations have declared or held senior citizen days.
This blog was copied directly from “Holiday Insights.com” It is not an original article from me. Since I am a Senior Citizen, I thought it best to let someone else say these things.