Methusela lived a mere 969 years. Adam lived 930 and Seth made it to 912.

Noah lived 950 years, including 350 years after the flood. Noah first became a father at age 502no Viagra needed.

Lest you think that the Bible is the only source claiming 1,000 year lifespans in times past, think again.

Some cultures not mentioned in the Bible claimed that their kings lived about 1,000 years before the flood, corroborating the Bible.

These cultures, Akkadian and Sumerian, were in the Mespotamian-Assyrian region. Both cultures had highly developed languages.

The Bible provides information showing that the average lifespan before the flood was 912 years. After the flood, the average lifespan dropped to 222 years.

Why? Genesis 6:3 explains it this way, Gods Spirit will not always strive with man, a reference to the evil in the world. God said, mans days now would be numbered 120 years.

God made a huge reductionfrom nearly 1,000 years to only 120.

Now if any doubters are troubled by Genesis 6:3, consider thissecular scientists measuring cell division, including Leonard Hayflict, asserted that our bodys cells are capable of dividing 50 times, then they die.

And guess what, that limits longevity to about 120 years, too. Science and Scripture seem to agree on the 120 year life span.

Lets fast forward to 2006, asking this question, if we Americans can live to 120, then why dont we?

1. Longevity inversely correlates to obesity. Huge numbers of Americans, including children, are obese (20% over normal weight) or morbidly obese (40% over normal weight).

2. Unlike our ancestors who ate real food, Americans eat devitalized, chemicalized, nutritionally dead, factory fresh foods, packaged in cans and boxes, embalmed with preservatives, laced with additives, and heavy laden with high fructose corn syrup and other fake but toxic sweeteners.

3. 80%+ Americans have become violently allergic to exerciseunlike our ancestors, who were physically active.

4. Americas system of allopathic (conventional medicine) overuses dangerous synthetic drugs (a pill for every ill, real or imaginary) and performs many unneeded operations. Conventional medicine doesnt cure diseases, just manages and minimizes them expensively.

We spend more per capita on health care than any other nation, but our average longevity is 47th in the worlda pathetic return on that massive investment.

Remembering Independence Day, lets resolve to take actions as they did at the Boston Tea party. They dumped King Georges overtaxed tea into Boston Harbor.

Here in the 21st Century, lets take action and liberate ourselves from the bondage of Big Pharma and its nasty and expensive drugs by refusing to use them when indiscriminately or thoughtlessly prescribed.

Just say no, as former First Lady Nancy Reagan advised about illegal drugs. Thats great advice for most legal drugs, too.

Lets use natural medicines and supplements and good food instead of drugs and surgery when possible.

Lets liberate ourselves from agribusiness and chemical corporations and retailers not selling organic and natural foods in their stores.

Lets liberate ourselves from pill-pushing doctors. Just say no if a doctor can not explain why you need a prescription. If he or she is not persuasive, "just say no."

Doctors are paid consultants. If you dont like their advice, fire them, switch to another doctor.

Lets overthrow the tyranny of disease and premature aging ourselves by taking responsibility for our own health and wellness, especially in our daily decisions and actions.

Reclaim your God-given opportunity to live not just to ages 75 to 85, but up to 120.

As you live to 120, youre a youth up to age 60; middle aged from 61-90; and a senior citizen from ages 91-120.

My youthful friend, dynamic businessman George Gillespie, in his mid to late 70s, says the best way to stay young is not to hang around old people.

Let's add this: prevent becoming an old person prematurely yourself by living right, thereby staying younger longer.

You may not live as long as Methusela, but you can celebrate your 120th birthday in good health at your local gym, first exercising vigorously for an hour or so, then enjoying the company of your healthy friends of all ages.

That sure beats celebrating your birthdays bed-ridden in a nursing home.