Why do people retire? What is retirement? How do you "do"it? There are probably as many answers to these questions as there are people. Do we in the US look at this time of life differently than other countries? Are we in the US going to be able to continue to live this part of our life as our parents and grandparents have been able to live? Do I want to live the way they lived? Am I retiring to play golf, be a snow bird, travel, play with grandchildren? Getting down to reality, how much money do I need to live on in retirement? Wouldn't you like to have all the answers? There are answers out there to a lot of these questions and there are lots of ways to plan for retirement years. All you have to do is look for them.
It is said that "this generation" (I missed being a boomer by a couple of years) is the healthiest, wealthiest and best educated generation ever. http://www.finishers.org/core.php What an opportunity we have in retirement! What a challenge we have in doing all we want to do and make a difference in the way we live our lives. That difference may be in honing a skill or hobby, learning a language, using what you've learned in the secular world, spending more time with grandkids to help instill those qualities you'd like to leave for the future generation. These ideas help us keep in touch with the present generation and perhaps help our aging process, or at least slow it down. This is a time when we can truly give back some of those years of experiences we acquired. Where you give back is your choice.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Answering a meme?
When I asked "what is a meme?", I was told "it's kind of like a chain letter." Well I don't feel guilty any more about breaking a chain letter or any other kind of chain that's sent my way. I refrain (or try to) from sending anything on I get over the internet. My one weakness is the fun pics/videos of cats I send on to my daughter. Anyway I'll give this "meme" a try because my daughter in law tagged me.
What is your favorite faith-based hymn, song or chorus?
A hymn that stirs my soul is, When peace Like a River Attendeth.....the words are so rich with meaning. It is well, it is well with my soul. This line...My sin--Oh the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin--not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more--Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul
What was the context, content and/or topic of the last sermon that truly touched, convicted, inspired, challenged, comforted and or otherwise moved you?
It was a exegetical sermon given by my son (I'm not just saying this because I'm his mom). It was about Abraham and his trusting God. In Genesis 15:6, Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Satin wants us to doubt God and His goodness. It's ok to articulate this to God. Personally I like exigetical preaching. I was dismayed to read today the following.......http://markdroberts.com/?p=555 . What a way to lead people astray.
If you could have all the Presbyterians read just one of your previous posts, what would it be and why?
Since I've just started blogging....why not read all three of them? Probably Facing our Mortality would be the one. This is something that is difficult to do and not particurlarly enjoyable...but what a difference it can make in our life as well as those around us.
What are three PC(USA) flavored blogs you read on a regular basis?
I read my son's (when he blogs....), http://www.web.mac.com/davemoody/blog_126/Apologia.html my daughter-in-law's, http://www.celticpole.blogspot.com/ and good friends, Jerry and Mary Hilton, http://www.hiltonadventures.blogspot.com/. Jerry was our Interim Pastor. I think Mary started blogging while in Wichita. I admire her (both of them really) and contintue to be amazed at their energy and enthusiasm for life. Check out their adventures.
As an aside I am reading more Presby blogs.
If the PC(USA) were a movie, what would it be and why?
With tongue in cheek...my first thought is it would be a comedy or perhaps a fairy tale. If we were to go back in time and speak to those who have laid the foundations of our faith from Paul forward, what would their reactions be? Would John Calvin want us PC(USA) to throw a birthday party next year to celebrate his 500th birthday?
As for tagging anyone else out there I'll let any one of you take the challenge that would like to.
What is your favorite faith-based hymn, song or chorus?
A hymn that stirs my soul is, When peace Like a River Attendeth.....the words are so rich with meaning. It is well, it is well with my soul. This line...My sin--Oh the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin--not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more--Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul
What was the context, content and/or topic of the last sermon that truly touched, convicted, inspired, challenged, comforted and or otherwise moved you?
It was a exegetical sermon given by my son (I'm not just saying this because I'm his mom). It was about Abraham and his trusting God. In Genesis 15:6, Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Satin wants us to doubt God and His goodness. It's ok to articulate this to God. Personally I like exigetical preaching. I was dismayed to read today the following.......http://markdroberts.com/?p=555 . What a way to lead people astray.
If you could have all the Presbyterians read just one of your previous posts, what would it be and why?
Since I've just started blogging....why not read all three of them? Probably Facing our Mortality would be the one. This is something that is difficult to do and not particurlarly enjoyable...but what a difference it can make in our life as well as those around us.
What are three PC(USA) flavored blogs you read on a regular basis?
I read my son's (when he blogs....), http://www.web.mac.com/davemoody/blog_126/Apologia.html my daughter-in-law's, http://www.celticpole.blogspot.com/ and good friends, Jerry and Mary Hilton, http://www.hiltonadventures.blogspot.com/. Jerry was our Interim Pastor. I think Mary started blogging while in Wichita. I admire her (both of them really) and contintue to be amazed at their energy and enthusiasm for life. Check out their adventures.
As an aside I am reading more Presby blogs.
If the PC(USA) were a movie, what would it be and why?
With tongue in cheek...my first thought is it would be a comedy or perhaps a fairy tale. If we were to go back in time and speak to those who have laid the foundations of our faith from Paul forward, what would their reactions be? Would John Calvin want us PC(USA) to throw a birthday party next year to celebrate his 500th birthday?
As for tagging anyone else out there I'll let any one of you take the challenge that would like to.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Facing our mortality
A good friend has said "you know you're getting older when you start going to funerals." We have been away for the last several months and while we were gone an unusually large number of acquaintances and friends passed away. In the two weeks we've been home several more have died. Some were expected due to age and specific problems and some were sudden. Faced with these deaths makes one, or in my opinion should make one, look at his own mortality, how he is living and what are the consequences of death.
We have known two couples over the years who have each lost a spouse to a catastrophic illness. Both couples had a living relationship with the Lord. They were told early on the terminal nature of their illnesses. Watching them both go through the process of living and thus dying was such a testimony to the power and grace of what God can and will do when we are submissive and living in His will. They grew closer to each other and to God. They were open and caring to friends and family letting them share in their fellowship and grief. They were able to speak about what is important in both life and death. They were showing those around them "how to die." What a privilege to be a part of their lives.
How would I act in a similar situation? I don't know, but I would hope I have learned through study, example, faith and the sure knowledge that God's grace is sufficient and He is sovereign over all. As the psalmist said, "Find rest, O my soul in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5.
We have known two couples over the years who have each lost a spouse to a catastrophic illness. Both couples had a living relationship with the Lord. They were told early on the terminal nature of their illnesses. Watching them both go through the process of living and thus dying was such a testimony to the power and grace of what God can and will do when we are submissive and living in His will. They grew closer to each other and to God. They were open and caring to friends and family letting them share in their fellowship and grief. They were able to speak about what is important in both life and death. They were showing those around them "how to die." What a privilege to be a part of their lives.
How would I act in a similar situation? I don't know, but I would hope I have learned through study, example, faith and the sure knowledge that God's grace is sufficient and He is sovereign over all. As the psalmist said, "Find rest, O my soul in God alone; my hope comes from Him." Psalm 62:5.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A beginning
I guess one has to begin before one can finish. For several years now I've admired and probably envied, if I'm honest, blogs I have read. The interests, insights, writing abilities, thoughts and honesty of bloggers has intrigued me. My first thought was I can't do that. Well maybe not like others but I'm going to try. My first challenge was coming up with a blog name. I called my daughter-in-law, Barbie, I was just thinking and she asked several questions to which I had no answers. Her questions did stir some thinking and I was reminded of where I am in my life. I am a finisher. So a question is how am I going to finish? You ask, finish what? How am I going to finish my life here on earth? Thus the title to my blog is, Finishing well, is it a question or a statement?
Two years ago my life changed, just as it has changed periodically over the last 60 some years. Those changes included, but are not limited to, growing up oldest in a family of 3 children, going to college, getting married, having children, moving several times from where I grew up, children growing up and moving away, aging parents, being a caretaker, deaths, births, serious illnesses and finally retirement. I didn't officially retire but my husband, John, retired after some 40 years of engineering. Once again my life changed. I have not been a person who had a lot of goals or who deliberated much on the future. In hind sight I regret this. God has been gracious to me over my lifetime in spite of my passiveness. As we look at the stages of life, retirement usually comes in the latter stages of life. Fortunately we're still healthy and have years ahead of us, so how are we going to use them? I want to be more deliberate in my choices. I don't want regrets.
I've admired people who have a life verse they can claim. I would like to be able to say with Paul (2 Tim 4:7-8) "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."....And verse 8, what a promise...."Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. "
I've admired people who have a life verse they can claim. I would like to be able to say with Paul (2 Tim 4:7-8) "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."....And verse 8, what a promise...."Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. "
I hope this blog helps me focus and keep "running the race".
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