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 […]
Some people are optimists. Like the quote from Walt Disney, noted in the image accompanying this post, we look at life focusing upon the possibilities ahead that will produce better outcomes. On the other hand, some are pessimists. Some people seem to have more than their share of unfortunate situations befall them. Some are naturally pessimistic due to their melancholic personality type.
When difficulties arise, some of us […]
If you are over the age of 40, I would venture a guess that this question has been asked by one spouse, or both, during a vacation. While on a leisurely bike ride along a coastline, relaxing at a shaded sidewalk café along a tree lined street with a cloudless sky above, or recounting the activities of the day on a balcony beneath a canopy of stars, […]
Peter Greer (co-author of the 2014 book Mission Drift) writes on his website, “Too often, as Christian organizations grow, the Gospel often becomes cursory, expendable, or even forgotten. Again and again, leaders have watched their ministries, businesses, and nonprofits professionalize, expand, and lose sight of their original goals. Even churches can stray from their calling.”
While the study of mission drift has become popular since the release […]
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 […]
In May of 1989, the British rock group Queen released “I Want It All” from the group’s studio album The Miracle. Critics, and the public, often said the lyrics focus on rebellion and social upheaval. From this interpretation, multiple interest groups adopted it as their theme. However, songwriter Brian May has long declared the song is solely about individual ambition and impatience. The song tells the story […]
The world is in a mess. Every day there seems to be something to disturb or shock us! Operation Warp Speed resulted in vaccines for the novel virus COVID-19 in months instead of years. However, there are concerns about the safety and the efficacy of these miraculous developments. The New York Times published an article worrying, “it’s unclear how well they will curb the spread of […]
Recently, I have noted people saying they were glad to see the coming new year and the end of 2020. Yesterday, I listened to a friend tell the congregation, “Never before have I thought that I was really glad a whole year was over…but if I am honest…I am glad 2020 in is the rearview mirror.”\
We would never wish another world pandemic on anyone. Vast changes in […]