There is a lot of talk in the news lately about senility. It makes me wonder about myself. I wonder if I start getting senile if I will be personally aware of what I am or if I will be oblivious to it. Many things have changed as I get older, and I am mindful of those growing limitations and try to compensate for them. Most of those have to do with what I cannot do anymore because of decreased energy and drive. I am trying to slow the average decline in physical ability through exercise and strenuous activities as best I can. I am also working at keeping my brain sharp by memorizing Bible verses. I keep track of how long I work on my verses and how much I get reviewed or memorized and compare it with what I have done in the past. So far, I have been improving a little bit at a time, but improving.

I consider that good news for me. The cool thing about the 30 minutes I spend every day memorizing Bible verses is that it is not only good exercise for my brain but also excellent exercise for my soul. I get physically tired now much easier and sooner than I did 20 years ago, but my mental ability to memorize a chapter in the Bible is way ahead of what I could have done 20 years ago. Whenever I see someone at church in the foyer and can’t remember their name, I get more motivated to work on my scripture memory. Patty and I drove to The Dalles, Oregon, yesterday, and I preached at a friend’s church today. While teaching the Bible in the service, I felt confident I was being clear, understandable, and motivational. Afterward, I asked Patty how I did; she was very complimentary. My doing well in preaching isn’t an ego thing; it is a “want to serve the Lord well for many more years thing.”