23 Jul, 2008
World's oldest blogger posts final message before dying at age 108
An Australian woman described as the world's oldest blogger has died at age 108 after posting a final message about singing "a happy song" in her nursing home. Olive Riley "passed away peacefully on July 12 and will be mourned by thousands of Internet friends and hundreds of descendants and other relatives," a note on her Web site said. Ms. Riley had posted more than 70 entries on her blog from Woy Woy, north of Sydney, since February last year, sharing her thoughts on modern life and her experiences in three centuries. Born in the outback town of Broken Hill on Oct. 20, 1899, she lived through two world wars and raised three children while doing various jobs, including ranch cook and barmaid. "She had people communicating with her from as far away as Russia and the United States on a continual basis, not just once in a while," said her great-grandson Darren Stone. "She enjoyed the notoriety -- it kept her mind fresh."
photo courtesy ap & story nationalpost.com 7/15/08
Olive lived in three centuries!
Leviticus 19:32 (NLT)
32 “Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how we should treat the elderly?
God gave the Israelites a direct command to show respect for the elderly, because this brings honor to them and to God. This instruction is timeless, meaning we must also apply it today.
A lot of jokes are made about the elderly in our culture. It's often easy to ignore them and not spend time with them. When their memory fades, their hearing goes, their eyes fail, and their ideas are different than ours - we often disregard their opinions and God's command to give them honor.
Every old person is precious in God's sight. If we spend time with them, we will learn from their life experience and wisdom. And it will make their day!
I love today's story about Olive, the world's oldest blogger. She obviously had an incredible will to keep living. Think of the stories she told before she died.
Wouldn't you love to hear her story and how it connected to the stories of others? I wonder if Olive knew about God's Story?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- First of all, be very honest. How about you and your friends? Do you show respect for the elderly like God's Word teaches?
- Talk to God through prayer right now. Thank Him for His instruction for us to care for and respect the elderly. Pray for one elderly person (other than a relative) you know. Ask God to show you how to encourage this person. Now thank God for your grandparents and remember to pray for any of them who are still living.
- Try keeping a daily journal for thirty days. Write down a daily example of God's Story in your life and a daily example of what you learn from or see in elderly people.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Once a month, help out an elderly person in your neighborhood.
- Write a letter of appreciation and love to your grandparents, even if they live nearby or you see them quite often. They love letters and email. If you don't have living grandparents, do this for another older couple or single.
- In your small group or youth group, develop a plan to reach out and honor the elderly in your community. It might involve visits to a nursing home or the homes of some older folks in your church or community.
- Use today's story about the world's oldest blogger to start a conversation with someone you know who needs Jesus. You could ask, "If you lived to be 108-years-old, what would you hope to know about God by that age?"
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
