Light of Setting Suns: Reflecting on Realities and Mysteries at Ninety Years of Life

By Richard L. Morgan

At age 60 Dr. Richard Morgan wrote No Wrinkles on the Soul as he faced the unknowns of aging and felt the need for a book to help himself and others navigate its challenges, especially the spiritual ones.
Now 91, Morgan still faces many unknowns, and once again has written a book that describes how it feels to be old and encourages others in the same stage of life. "The years have taken a toll on my body," he writes, "but my mind and spirit are still young!"
Light of Setting Suns contains stories of people age 90 and beyond who have remained vital and spiritually alive, including the author's own experiences. Morgan shows how to discover wellness, even in years of decline, and how these years may be unexpectedly rich and meaningful. This book shows readers that, even at an advanced age, they still have the opportunity to shine with the Spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Upper Room Books
• Release date: Mar 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9780835819565

Richard L. Morgan

Richard L. Morgan is a retired chaplain, pastor (PCUSA), and professor. He most recently served as a volunteer chaplain at Redstone Highlands, the senior living community where he resided near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Davidson College; a master of divinity, master of theology, and PhD from Union Theological Seminary; and a master of counseling from Wake Forest University, Richard was named the 1987 Man of the Year by the city of Lenoir, NC; awarded the 2013 Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Award; and honored as the 2015 Volunteer of the Year at Redstone Highlands Senior Living Community.

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Praise for Light of Setting Suns

Few books have inspired and challenged me as profoundly as Light of Setting Suns. Only an author who knows aging from decades of academic research and ninety years of purposeful living could offer such authentic glimmers of light and hope for people of all ages. This book will be my companion as I live toward my own setting suns, and I commend it to others who want to live with meaning and purpose at every age.

—Bishop (Retired) Kenneth L. Carder

Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Distinguished

Professor Emeritus of The Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School

When I think of aging with resiliency and faith, I think of my friend Dr. Richard Morgan. His heart and mind, like fields described in a hymn by Isaac Watts, stand dressed in living green, speaking grace and wisdom afresh in his latest work. Readers surely will find their own spirits stirred as he leads us in these meditations through verdant fields of soul-seasoned elderhood.

—Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN

Neurologist, Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Most of us will not live to scan the horizons and landscapes presented in a tenth decade of life. Through grace, Richard Morgan has arrived at that unfamiliar place; and in thoughtful, compassionate, tough-minded meditations, he tells us the amazing things he sees: That through it all, God is also there. We gratefully receive his gift: It is a brave triumph.

—Thomas Ronald Vaughan, M.Div., M.A., D.Min.

Author, retired pastor, and healthcare administrator

Having begun now his tenth decade, Richard Morgan’s lively writing grips us with his knowledge of scripture, theology, and the wisdom of the ancients in regard to aging—and especially by his humor, often self-deprecating. Morgan’s book will greatly assist professional counselors, clergy, lay shepherds, grown children of older adults, and the aged themselves as well as their caregivers.

—Dr. Dwyn M. Mounger

Author, retired clergy

In his latest book, Richard Morgan wrestles brilliantly and honestly with the challenges and possibilities of life at ninety. He shares hard-earned wisdom and a vision of a later life of purpose. A must read for anyone striving to live with hope and meaning at any age.

—Virginia Biggar

Executive Director | Communities Program Director

A-LIST | www.usagainstalzheimers.org

As the son of a mother in her nineties and as pastor of a large congregation with many older adults and caregivers, I find this book a helpful companion for the aging journey. There is a Good Shepherd who shows up in these pages. While the valleys full of fears are named, ultimately, it is faith that is claimed. Frailty is not the focus of this book. Richard’s words capture the wonder at how old bones can surprise and rise with power and hope.

—Donovan Drake, M.Div., D.Min.

Pastor and head of staff,

Westminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville, TN

LIGHT OF SETTING SUNS: Reflecting on Realities and Mysteries at Ninety Years of Life

Copyright © 2020 by Richard L. Morgan

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, write Upper Room Books, 1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37212.

Upper Room Books® website: upperroombooks.com

Upper Room®, Upper Room Books®, and design logos are trademarks owned by The Upper Room®, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.

At the time of publication, all website references in this book were valid. However, due to the fluid nature of the internet some addresses may have changed or the content may no longer be relevant.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV™ are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version (KJV) Public Domain.

Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Reflections by Don Wendorf, Lynda Everman, Jane Marie Thibault, Daniel C. Potts, Kathleen Fischer, David M. Seymour, Dorothy Ivan Mazlak, and John C. Morgan were written for this book and are used with permission (pages 23, 44, 51–52, 57, 63–64, 72, 83–84, 92–93, 106–7, 112–13, 121–22).

Front cover images: Shutterstock

Cover design: Bruce Gore

Interior design: PerfecType, Nashville, TN

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Morgan, Richard Lyon, 1929- author.

Title: Light of setting suns : reflecting on realities and mysteries at ninety years of life / Richard L. Morgan.

Description: Nashville, TN : Upper Room Books, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references and index. |

Identifiers: LCCN 2020034552 (print) | LCCN 2020034553 (ebook) | ISBN 9780835819541 (paperback) | ISBN 9780835819558 (mobi) | ISBN 9780835819565 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Older people--Religious life. | Older people--Prayers and devotions. | Aging--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Classification: LCC BV4580 .M575 2021 (print) | LCC BV4580 (ebook) | DDC 204/.40846--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020034552

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020034553

Print ISBN: 978-0-8358-1954-1

Mobi ISBN: 978-0-8358-1955-8

Epub ISBN: 978-0-8358-1956-5

Printed in the United States of America

In loving memory of my wife, Alice Ann Morgan;

and to my daughter, Anna Sever, whose support and

encouragement helped make this book a reality.

And to all ninety-years-old and older persons, who, like me, are striving to live up to death.

CONTENTS

Foreword—Harry R. (Rick) Moody

Foreword—Jane Marie Thibault

Acknowledgments

Preface

Being Ninety

 1. Reaching Ninety

 2. Not Yet

 3. Ninth Stage of Life

 4. Wisdom People

 5. Wisdom Keepers

 6. The Best Is Last

 7. A Striking Contrast

 8. Happiness Is a Choice You Make

Becoming Oneself at Ninety

 9. Decreased Self-Centeredness

10. It’s OK to Be Useless

11. Be Your Own Good Samaritan

12. Less Concerned with Possessions

13. Death Cleaning

14. Transcending Diminishment

15. Facing the Worst Fear

16. Episodic Memory

Relating to Others