optimism – Page 2

A hopeful retirement paradigm for those in ministry, missions, & nonprofit service

Paradigms are powerful. The Oxford English Dictionary defines them as “a pattern or model.” The word was obscure until Thomas Kuhn used it referring to a set of concepts and practices defining a scientific discipline in his 1962 book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Now, it is popularly used to define how someone looks at anything.

Our personal retirement paradigm is built from our hopes and dreams (what […]

reggie2020-09-21T11:30:07+00:00September 21st, 2020|

Fielding this routine groundball can change your future

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 […]

reggie2020-08-31T15:53:46+00:00August 31st, 2020|

Don’t be the reason for the smile on the phisherman’s face

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 […]

reggie2020-08-27T13:48:48+00:00August 27th, 2020|

Let’s choose living in eager expectation over enraged entanglement

The state of social media is a mess. News reports of COVID-19 numbers, peaceful or violent protests, or anything political triggers the launch of emotion into action.

Perhaps the most discouraging element of the current plight is the Church seems to be in the center of this enraged entanglement. Holders of one opinion heartily hurl epithets of suspicion and anger toward holders of differing opinions, believing themselves to […]

reggie2020-08-10T16:07:11+00:00August 10th, 2020|

Adaptability – embracing necessary change

On July 14, CNBC published a report from Lauren Thomas about the adaptability demonstrated by some mall owners in the wake of 2020 COVID-19 shutdowns. The report is important not only for business, but daily living!

Virtually all brick and mortar retail (short of home improvement and grocery stores) have suffered in the aftermath of the COVID-19. The stock of CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. had been […]

reggie2020-08-06T13:58:01+00:00August 6th, 2020|

Balance – an elusive key for life

“Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life.” – Thomas Kinkade

“Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete; it’s a sense of harmony.” – Joshua Osenga, 12 years a Cubicle Slave

“He has made everything appropriate in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 NASB

We all know how our life feels in proper balance. As Joshua Osenga defined it, we had a sense of harmony. The […]

reggie2020-08-03T15:37:24+00:00August 3rd, 2020|

Avoiding the sound of “splat” while accepting risk

Last week, we posted thoughts on the necessity of accepting risk into life. God wants our heart, our mind, and our life open to others. This openness places us in a position where our feelings can be hurt, our emotions can erupt, and our lives can seem crushed. Opening ourselves also allows God to use the talents he has given us to bless others. It allows the […]

reggie2020-07-30T12:43:00+00:00July 30th, 2020|

Timeless financial lessons from the fishin’ hole

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 […]

reggie2020-07-27T14:57:49+00:00July 27th, 2020|

Protect your eggs! But don’t go overboard!

“Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket,” is an age old, well-worn piece of advice. My father first remembered it when his mother sent him to fetch fresh eggs from a neighbor, circa 1919. I used the phrase often, in a far less literal manner, during the years I worked as a personal financial planner. It actually made its first appearance in the early 1600s […]

reggie2020-07-23T12:08:18+00:00July 23rd, 2020|

Saving for the future – an ancient, universal principal

We live in an incredible age of immediate gratification! When we want something, it is likely we can get it almost immediately. The lighting and temperature of our home may be controlled from an app on our phone…even if we are far away. Last week, the driver’s side window of my convertible suddenly stopped dropping whenever the door was opened (a characteristic of convertible automobiles). Rather than […]

reggie2020-07-20T15:34:05+00:00July 20th, 2020|