Gray Hair

What causes gray hair?  A recent Yahoo! article shares some of the science behind graying.  We learn that “...gray hair is simply a part of the normal aging process, and the rate you go silver is genetically predetermined. Going gray is not associated with earlier mortality, and premature graying is not, generally speaking, a sign of a illness or ill health in younger adults. There are, however, some specific health conditions, such as vitiligo(an autoimmune disorder that causes uneven pigmentation) associated with gray or white hair, but for most of us, going gray is just a fact of life...Hair color comes from the pigment melanin, which has two hues, blackish brown and reddish yellow—the amount and mix of each determines your individual shade. Hair without any melanin is pure white. The pigment is produced in cells called melanocytes, located at the base of the hair follicle. The melanocytes inject pigment into the hair. At some point in everyone's lifetime, these cells slow down and eventually stop producing color all together in what's called apoptosis, or genetically predetermined demise. Scientists have yet to identify the exact mechanism by which melanocyte cell death occurs...In 2011, L'Oreal announced it was in the early stages of developing a pill that would prevent melanin reduction, but at this point, there is still no silver bullet to keep away the grays” (Sarah B. Weir, shine.yahoo,com, 10-1-12).
Graying is a normal part of the passing of time in our lives.  We can try to hide it but we cannot mask the reality associated with it.  We are ALL getting older.  For the child of God, getting older should not be a reason for fear or despair.  In fact, we learn from the Scriptures that, for those seeking to live godly lives, gray hair is a badge of honor.  “A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31).  “The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair” (Proverbs 20:29)
God loves you!
Mike

Take A Deep Breath...

As the presidential election enters the home stretch, I am hearing more believers hyperventilating over the possibility that their candidate might not be elected.  If you listen to some, you get the impression that it will be the end of civilization as we know it.  Some of my Christian friends on social media are resorting to the same kind of name-calling, mud-slinging, and crude joking that has characterized so much of the campaigning to this point.  In the midst of the hysteria, may I remind us of a few things?

• 1. Our earthly citizenship is not the highest priority.  We are citizens of a heavenly realm (Philippians 3:20).

• 2. Our King rules over a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly kingdom (John 18:36).
• 3. God’s command to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) applies even to political enemies.
• 4. God doesn’t promise to protect our standard of living or way of life. He does tell us to expect persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
• 5. Our hope for the future isn’t grounded in ANY particular human governmental system.  Our hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 4:10; 1:1).

If you have the opportunity to participate in choosing your governmental leaders, then be thankful for that.  If you are free to give voice to your beliefs and opinions, do so in a godly way.  Do what you can to make the world around you a better place.  But don’t give into despair if things don’t go your way.  Remember that most believers throughout history have lived and worked under far worse situations than we are experiencing.
Regardless of who is in the White House, in Congress, or the Senate, the King of the universe is still on His throne.  He will see us through the worst that this world can devise against us in His way and on His time.

God loves you!

Mike