I was looking at this add for a Newark Church of the Nazarene Easter weekend and realized that the youngish guy in the bottom right hand corner was me six years ago! Now take a look at a picture of me this summer while on vacation. I have aged in double time! Is it possible that leading a church could do this to a person?
I am not yet 50 but I can see 50! Some say gray hair makes you look distinguished but I look more extinguished in this photo! I will still get up in the morning and make my way to the YMCA and some time this week I will play a game or two of full court basketball and a couple of games of racquetball. In a few days I will once again begin the training necessary to prepare me to join the COTC Law Enforcement Academy next summer. Maybe after losing a few more pounds and lifting consistently I can regain my youth. (0r maybe I will just brush that stuff in my hair and make it brown again! Not a chance)
I think this whole aging thing is a combination of kids going through high school and into college. I think it is related to preaching three times a Sunday week after week for eight years. I think my aging is due to leading a growing church, facilitating Assessment Centers for NewStart pastors around the country (just learned that I have lost this role due to restructured budgets at the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene), teaching college classes, serving on the board of the local YMCA and working to bring Christian emphasis to this historic Christian organization, leading and trying to grow a staff of young leaders with awesome potential and did I mention kids in college?