Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

The Pinecone | November 2025 • 9 • Reflections By Maxie Dunnam November Vesper Services 6:30pm | Performing Arts Center What a time to be alive as a Christian! What’s going on? What a time to be alive as an ordained minister, joyful in the privilege of serving in clergy leadership for over 70 years Though 91, My praying and pondering seems to focus more on the future. My feeling that revival is coming has intensified. Added to that is the conviction that I am not finished. There is more, one more thing God has in store for me. I don’t know anyone who has had a richer, more rewarding ministry. I have served as pastor of a three congregation rural appointment and a 3000 member suburban church. I have planted three churches, and served as the World Editor of The Upper Room, and President of Asbury Theological Seminary. So what is going on? I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma back in January. Being 91 added to the death dimension that I had begun to ponder. My weekly treatments for cancer have been reduced to monthly because I am in remission. What’s going on? I’m praying and waiting, not too patiently! for God’s one more thing. Please pray that when it comes I will recognize it, and partner with God for its full expression. ME…AND GOD’S ONE MORE THING November 6: Mark Matheney Retired Methodist Minister November 13: KeithWeathers Resident & Member of Bellevue Baptist November 20: Rev Chris Hodges Assistant Minister, Bellevue Baptist November 27: No Vespers HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! This world in which we live is a beautiful place. As I sit on my balcony a butterfly just flew by. One of God's creatures reminds me of the miracles we see every day. Scientists are telling us that our earth is getting warmer due to exhaust from our many inventions, using coal and oil. Many animals are near extinction and our oceans are polluted with man's disposals. What are we to do? When I was born WWI had ended and in less than fifteen years we were right back into WWII. Since then, the USA has engaged in war in Korea and Vietnam. At the present time four countries in Europe are in an all-out war, killing hundreds of innocent people and destroying their cities. During my lifetime many inventions have made our lives easier and safer. Refrigerators, microwave ovens, central air condition, television, cell phones, computers, and AI are just a few of the inventions we enjoy daily. Many drugs have been developed that help to cure most of our infectious diseases such as polio, yellow fever, malaria, smallpox, and pneumonia. Yet aside from the helpful inventions, man has developed atomic weapons strong enough to kill us all, yet available to many countries. So where is man? Are we going to stay divided and destroy this beautiful world, or are we going to learn to work together to make our world a safe, happy and healthy place where all its inhabitants can enjoy life as they work together to solve our problems? I pray daily that our world leaders, with God's help, will work together to solve our many problems and together we can make our world a safer, healthier, and joyous place in which to live. TOPIC: "What changes have you experienced the most during the years fromwhen you were a young adult until now." Story by Flo Seward Poetry & Writing Club JOIN THE CLUB November 3rd at 9:30 am in the LCR OUR WORLD Flo Seward