Our Movement is Gathering Steam

Next Saturday over 50 of us are coming together to see what God is doing in our time to Unleash Seasoned Believers to Love, enjoy and serve God. I cannot wait to hear the insights, ideas and creative solutions people have for us mature Christians to live abundantly for this era of our lives.

I went to Kroger last week to get my flu shot. While I waited my eyes fell on a magazine dedicated to helping Seniors get along better in Greater Cincinnati. It is entitled "Older Adults...the resource guide." Sub titled, "The Resource Guide for Mature Adults and their Families."

The front shows active, laughing gray haired adults playing with their grand kids and having a ball with a spouse. So far, so good, but then I opened to the first few pages. The first two advertisements were for "Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Long Term Care Centers," then it got worse for there were two full pages of ads for Tranquility incontinence products.

Now, there is nothing wrong with medical ads for us mature adults. However, there is almost nothing for active, self directed matures adults. This kind of over emphasis on sickness, dying and medical emergencies is why I am starting a new approach to Seasoned Citizens.

(A funny thought just occurred to me. For most of my adult life the only people who focused on marketing to me were sleaze pornography makers who called their products "Adult Reading and Viewing". Now, the only people doing anything to get my attention are folks selling hearing aids, incontinence products and nursing care. Maybe we can call the transition "From porn to scorn".)

You can support us by donating to the not-for profit 501 c 3 ministry, Sweeten Life Systems and write your check or send your stock as you pray for the ministry. We are getting rave reviews for the concept and approach. Stay in touch.

Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age

While walking this morning I had my iPod all cranked up and a song came on that I did not know. It shocked me because the performer was one of my favorites. In fact, I had met him one hot night in 1957 when cousin Robert Conner told me about his performing in Marion, Ill skating rink.

It was quite surprise when The Killer, Jerry Lee Louis, came on the iPod singing, "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age". Of course Jerry Lee could sing the Yellow Pages and make it sound good, but I liked the song a lot. In fact, I may choose it as the anthem for The Seasoned Citizens Movement.

The Anthem Of Seasoned Citizens

Don't be ashamed of your age

Don't let the years get you down

That old gang you knew

They still think of you

As a rounder in your old home town

Don't mind the grey in your hair

Just think of the fun you had puttin' it there

And as for that old book of time

Boy, you never skipped a page

So, don't be ashamed of your age

Brother, don't be ashamed of your age

Now listen mr smith and mr brown

Don't let the years get you down

'Cause life ain't begun until you're forty some

That's when you really start to go to town

Now don't wish that you were a lad

Why boy, you've lost more girls

Than they've ever had

And once more you've graduated

From that ol' stubborn stage

So, don't be ashamed of your age

Brother, don't be ashamed of your age

We are living longer, better and more enjoyable lives than at any other time in modern history. Let's all be thankful for the blessings of God and how he works through science, nutrition and health care. I am having a lot of enjoyment and tons of fun. I am not ashamed of my age.

Who Are We?

Ghandi, a Seasoned Citizen who made a difference. I really like this ad for the Christian History magazine.

As the story goes, a Russian Orthodox Monk was out walking and praying in the wild woods outside St. Petersburg when he came face to face with a very young soldier. Such "Wandering Monks" were revered and honored in Russia before the Bolsheviks came into power but this was following the Revolution. The young soldier cried out in a loud and threatening voice with his rifle pointed at the old Monk, "Who are you, what are you doing and where are you going?

The kindly old Monk walked up closely to the youngster and asked gently, "Young man, how much do you make a month to ask such questions." The boy was taken aback because the Monk seemed to have no fear of him or his gun.

"Well," he stuttered, "I am paid 20 Kopeks per month to serve the Mother Land."

"Ummm," replied the gracious Monk. "I will give you twice that amount if you will come to work for me and ask me those same questions each day when I seem as though I do not know what I am doing or where I am going."

The blog you are reading was put up by an old friend from my college days as a way of alerting people about who we are, what we are doing and where we are going. We are men and women from almost every denomination imaginable who have heard the still small voice of the Holy Spirit call us to "Unleash Seasoned Believers to hear and follow God for a great future." It is a subministry of Sweeten Life Systems, a 501 c3 not for profit organization that focuses on Coaching, Consulting and Caring for Christian leaders around the world.

History: Christian churches have been extremely innovative when it comes to designing programs, ministries and plans to help children and youth come to follow Jesus Christ. However, we have rarely done much for people over forty.

There are Pre-Schools, Nursery Schools, Kindergartens, Graded Sunday schools, Camps, Young Life, Campus Crusade and Inter Varsity, College and career, Pre-Marital and Young Couples Groups to minister to the relational, emotional and spiritual needs of the young and younger and youngest.

Our goal is to develop a structures, associations, networks, gatherings, materials, retreats, teachings, videos and coaches to focus exclusively on helping Seasoned Saints face and thrive with their unique Life Transitions. This demographic group has the greatest actual as well as the greatest untapped potential gifts, talents, wisdom and energy to take on and solve today's biggest needs.

On October 13 we are having an all day Day of Envisioning to think and pray together about how God and those Seasoned Saints at the gathering would have us proceed. It is probably too late to sing up for that session but it is never too late to get your input on what you would find useful to facilitate your own Unleashing.

Send me an email at gsweeten@cinci.rr.com with any and all feed forward ideas.

It is time that we restored the honor and leadership to the Seasoned Citizens of America and Europe. At one time Seasoned Men and Women were seen as sources of wisdom and counsel. In recent years we have seen a degradation of society to worship adolescence and physical beauty but God has appointed this time for us to start a New Spiritual Awakening. Why not come and get on board at this crucial moment?

Seasoned Believers En-Visioning Day

People in their 40s to 80s are still vital, well educated, well experienced, and spiritually wise. They are still able to make great contributions to the world and the Kingdom of God.

In past generations, people over 50 were expected to retire, resign and relapse into a coma. That is different today. People are not just living longer they are living stronger. They have a legacy to leave future generations. How will they leave a great legacy? How will they find fellow seasoned travelers and become Unleashed to enjoy, worship and serve the Lord in their own, unique, chosen manner?

You have earned the right to soar in the Spirit with the other Eagles.

By what name do vital, wise, well educated, experienced Christians go, that is different from how the world characterizes them?

Gary Sweeten
is focusing his next initiative on
Unleashing Seasoned Believers
to love, enjoy and serve the Lord.

As a Seasoned Believer,
you are invited to an exciting day of
discovery and development of God’s vision
with Dr. Sweeten.

Sweeten Life Systems
Seasoned Believers En-Visioning Day
Saturday, October 13
Winton Woods Mill Conference Center
9:00 am – 3:00 PM

What might this new ministry vision include?

1. Lifelong Leisure Learning with Christian thought leaders.
2. Topics in basic and cutting edge areas of Interest so we can “Finish Well”
3. Simple technologies for connecting, learning, building, caring and serving, see and seize opportunities, write, speak and fun.
4. Lifelong serving with others of a like mind and call.
5. Opportunities to mentor and support young believers, including your family to leave a legacy of wisdom and wealth.
6. Opportunities for local, national, and international learning and serving.
7. The sponsorship of the Significance Center™ – equipping Christians of all ages in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe who are hungry for the skills and knowledge necessary to build God’s Kingdom where they have been planted.

This discovery day is a faith step by Sweeten Life Systems,
so we suggest a donation of $50 per person to defray the cost of facility rental and food.
You’ll have fun contributing to this vital, new ministry.
To help us plan please RSVP to Ron Peake rpeake@cinci.rr.com today

Please share this invitation with other Seasoned Believers or let us know their names, phone numbers and email address.

This event will be held at
Winton Woods Mill Golf Course Conference Center
1515 West Sharon Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45231
Take I-275 to Winton Rd-Forest Park exit, south on Winton Rd to Sharon Rd & right to Mill Conference Center

P.S. Food, materials, recreation, memory gift, photos and DVD’s will be provided to all participants. Seating Limited, register today.