If there is one overriding image everyone would have about their retirement, it would be “peaceful.” The specifics will vary widely based upon individual preferences. The area in which some envision spending their senior years may be rural and pastoral. For others it would be a bit more urban, but it still inspires dreams of days without pressure.
None of us has created a mental picture of a […]
It is Mid-May 2021, and a new wave of young adults recently exited the halls of academia, entering the world of adult responsibilities. Those looming responsibilities present challenges. Sarah Brooks recently identified, on iGrad, lifestyle adjustments (relocation from family and friends) and excessive demands (obligations beyond the workplace) among 5 key challenges graduates face. Sharon Elber, on WorkBloom, cited unrealistic expectations (“I will land my […]
One of the major reasons people avoid planning for their financial future is the fear of making a mistake. There are so many questions, so many choices, and so many variables that it is easy to say, “Forget it. It would be easier to try giving the cat a bath than sort this out.” When a family does eventually decide they do need to plan ahead, the […]
Planning for the future is difficult. Most will choose any excuse to avoid talking about their financial future. If the subject turns to planning for one’s estate, the avoidance level only increases. When topics like attorneys, probate, wills, trusts, and fees become a part of the conversation, whatever willingness was present likely flies away more quickly than a frightened bird.
I was pleased to see Howard Gold’s recent […]
December of 2020 is not only a time to eagerly await turning the calendar, this is the opportunity to take our final exam. How have we conducted our lives, and how will we prepare for the coming days ahead?
It is worth noting Rodgers and Hammerstein didn’t include final exams in the lyrics of “My Favorite Things.” I endured examinations as a student, often murmuring along with fellow […]
If you are an elder or staff leader in a local church, this blog post is intended for you. If you serve on the board of a mission work, I hope this reaches your desk. Likewise, if your service includes the responsibility for directing a Christian camp, campus ministry, or nonprofit organization, I hope you will carefully think about the important issue of the future of those […]
One of the famous segments of the 1987 play and 1989 movie Driving Miss Daisy is the trip to Mobile to celebrate Miss Daisy’s brother’s birthday. Holding firmly to the map in the back seat, Miss Daisy became confused, told Hoke to make a wrong turn, and they found themselves far off the planned route. Even now, with GPS units built into a phone or automobile, we […]
Today, I would like to address those serving in the early years of their ministry. Follow closely.
Baseball is a game made up of intricate movements. Those who watch a game on television never see ninety percent of the shifts and adjustments that affect the outcome. Those who attend games may observe only fifteen percent more. Fans are waiting for the game changing moment. They await the key […]
Look at the HUGE smile on the face of the fisherman in the photo accompanying this post! He had every reason to have that smile. He had gone fishing in St. Mary’s County, Maryland and caught the trophy fish! He had to work to bring it in. The photo of him with the big grin, holding the fish, may well have been framed and hung in his […]
I remember my Dad teaching me how to fish. I remember being enthralled with the rods and reels at Jones Hardware in downtown Leaksville, NC. One day in 1958, he succumbed to my plea, purchasing a Zebco 33 rod & reel for our new adventure in fishing!
The first step was to stand in our back yard to learn a little about casting. The maple tree near the […]