SDM's Keystrokes and Pixels: 2026

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

75 Years — A Lifetime of Thanks and Reflection

75 Years — A Lifetime of Thanks and Reflection

Thank you for the birthday greetings.

Psalms 90:10–12

10 The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12 So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

I find myself now between the seventy and eighty years described in verse 10. That verse names these years “labor and sorrow,” and my life has known both. From childhood jobs—mowing lawns and delivering papers—to a 32‑year career in highway engineering and a decade of firefighting, plus years serving as a volunteer EMT and hospital chaplain, God has carried me through seasons of service. I’ve been privileged to answer a calling into ministry: children’s church, Christian education, pastoring, and other areas where I’ve been blessed to serve.

Alongside the work there has been sorrow—from early tragedies during my childhood to the heavy moments that come with chaplaincy over the years. Verse 12 calls us to number our days; for me that count is now 75. It’s more than elapsed time; it’s the accumulation of every season, every trial, and every blessing. I continue to seek the heart of wisdom that comes from God. My physical heart recently receive an extension of life flowing blood. May my spiritual heart be refreshed and revived by the Wisdom gained from knowing God.

I am deeply grateful for the love and blessings I share with my wife, our children, grandchildren, family, friends, and extended family. Hearing the word, Papa, is so precious. I have blessed with friends, neighbors, coworkers, and caring people. I give thanks for the group of people who call me “pastor” — their trust and companionship have been a continual encouragement. Above all, my love for the Lord Jesus Christ, because He first loved me, has sustained me through every joy and sorrow. I am blessed by 75 years of relationships, events, and people, and I trust the future to His faithful hands.