Thoughts on Turning 60 and the Rest of My Life

This is my first post from my new home in Maui. Today was a kind of milestone for me. I have outlived my heroes Spurgeon, Edwards, and Calvin. I am humbled and grateful. As John Piper writes, "all we ever receive is mercy."

I met the Lord in December of 1974 and two months later He called me to the ministry while I was all alone on an isolated point in Mexico called El Farro at Punta Mita. I have watched Him work out this supernatural event in my life for over 38 years.

As I look ahead to the rest  of my life here is my prayer:

Heavenly Father, I humbly ask,

That you help me to see and savor Your Son, Jesus, more.

That I would find You, in all Your triune glory, to be my greatest treasure and the source of my greatest pleasure. and loved people.
That the legacy of my life would be that I loved God

That I would never stop proclaiming Your supremacy in all things in a man-centered world
That I would not waste my life.
That I earnestly till the day that I die engage in a passionate pursuit of  You
That my life would uphold and to submit to Your Word.
That I would love Your Word
That I would stand passionately for Your truth, even when it isn't popular.
That I would always maintain a spirit of humility before You and man,  always willing to admit my own shortcomings and always asking for prayer and encouragement as I seek Your help 
That I would always love and seek the fellowship of the body of Christ.
That I would always and earnestly be devoted to prayer
That I would become very generous as You have been so to me.
That I would stay true to the faith.
That I would always teach and show what mercy means.
That I would be a gospel-centered (not works-centered) and grace centered man.
That I would continue to persevere through the times when they were tough and remained committed to calling.
That I would never forget my own sinfulness, and always preach to myself that my only hope is in Christ from beginning to end.
That I would never lose my hunger for more of You and Your Word.
That I would never feel that have it all figured out and that I will be always growing and learning.
That I will always be the same person behind the pulpit that I am in everyday life.
That I will have a greater burden for the cause of global mission
That I would not let all the bitter hardships of life discourage me from pressing on toward You or calling others do the same.
That I would be diligent and faithful in whatever I set out to do.
That I would always rest my confidence in the Lord and His word.
That I would do everything I do as unto the Lord and not unto man and always for His glory.
That I would grow more and more as a quiet, reflective, and contemplative man, listening more and talking less, and never afraid of silence.
That I would trust in Your sovereign goodness in everything—in time of blessing and in the face of tragedy.
That I would shrink back from pointing others to deep theology in their time of need.
That I would flee to the gospel when faced with the double-edged sword of the fear of man and the love of the praise of man. That I would anchor myself in the Father's love and acceptance us in the Beloved
That I would truly love all men and that my life will be a life of love.
That I would finish well.
That people will be built up and deified in being around me.
That I would become a wiser man as the years go by.
That my life would be characterized by mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness, and kindness.
That I would always worship in spirit and truth.
That I would always keep my life more free from the love of money.

That my best and most fruitful days be ahead of me.

That  God would cause me to see more glorious kingdom victories! 
That I would never stop fighting the fight of faith, running the race, and keeping the faith,
That I would magnify Him in my body in life and death.
That someday I will hear You say to me, "Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord."

Looking ahead to a future of glory and usefulness,
Pastor Bill