I reached the age of 90 years on Tuesday 14th OCTOBER. What a privilege to have lived for all those years in the Lord’s beautiful world. I did some research and discovered that of all Australian men born in1935, only 22% of us will get to the age of 90. It is an undeserved privilege bestowed on me by the grace of a loving God. I am amazed to realise that I was brought into the world to serve some purpose in the Lord’s eternal plan. For 70 of those years I have tried to fulfil His purpose for me. He has always been faithful in providing the grace I needed to live for Him in spite of my unavailability at times.
What a privilege to be born into a loving family where riches were not abundant but where love and support certainly were.
Then to befriend a beautiful, attractive, intelligent young woman who became my very best friend and who amazingly responded to my proposal of marriage; a marriage which was blessed for 54 years before the Lord called her home. And the joy of bringing 3 wonderful children into the world and through them 4 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren.
The privilege of serving the Lord, in many places in Australia, in New Zealand, and in Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida in the United States. As a result, deep friendships that have lasted for decades. And to realise that the Lord had “planned” my days so that I was offered positions in ministry rather than having to apply for them, as Psalm 139 verse 16 indicates, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” Being interested in words I looked up the word “planned” in this verse in the Greek version of the Old Testament. [The LXX]. It is the word πλάσσω; plassō meaning to mould [like a potter] or to fashion or form. Grace upon grace upon grace to realise that my whole life has been part of His eternal plan and purpose and that when my mind made some plans for the future, the Lord over-ruled to His glory, Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
Reaching 90 years of age is a privilege I deeply appreciate and I praise the Lord for His amazing grace in allowing me to do so.
Blog No. 580 posted on Tuesday 14 October 2025
About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.
holbeck 
580. 90 Years Of Living In This World. What a privilege!
I reached the age of 90 years on Tuesday 14th OCTOBER. What a privilege to have lived for all those years in the Lord’s beautiful world. I did some research and discovered that of all Australian men born in1935, only 22% of us will get to the age of 90. It is an undeserved privilege bestowed on me by the grace of a loving God. I am amazed to realise that I was brought into the world to serve some purpose in the Lord’s eternal plan. For 70 of those years I have tried to fulfil His purpose for me. He has always been faithful in providing the grace I needed to live for Him in spite of my unavailability at times.
What a privilege to be born into a loving family where riches were not abundant but where love and support certainly were.
Then to befriend a beautiful, attractive, intelligent young woman who became my very best friend and who amazingly responded to my proposal of marriage; a marriage which was blessed for 54 years before the Lord called her home. And the joy of bringing 3 wonderful children into the world and through them 4 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren.
The privilege of serving the Lord, in many places in Australia, in New Zealand, and in Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida in the United States. As a result, deep friendships that have lasted for decades. And to realise that the Lord had “planned” my days so that I was offered positions in ministry rather than having to apply for them, as Psalm 139 verse 16 indicates, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” Being interested in words I looked up the word “planned” in this verse in the Greek version of the Old Testament. [The LXX]. It is the word πλάσσω; plassō meaning to mould [like a potter] or to fashion or form. Grace upon grace upon grace to realise that my whole life has been part of His eternal plan and purpose and that when my mind made some plans for the future, the Lord over-ruled to His glory, Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
Reaching 90 years of age is a privilege I deeply appreciate and I praise the Lord for His amazing grace in allowing me to do so.
Blog No. 580 posted on Tuesday 14 October 2025
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About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.