Reimagine Retirement by C.J. Cagle– Book Review

“A reimagined retirement is one that is planned, structured, lived and continually reexamined in light of sound biblical doctrine, principles and practice.  It is a retirement lived for the glory of God, his kingdom and the good of his people.”

In this book author C. J. Cagle takes a hard look at modern retirement and what it means to us.  For many, the ideal is to work as hard as we can, save as much as possible, and then spend the final years of life on an endless vacation.  This  approach is not biblical and is unlikely to lead to personal satisfaction.

Since the Bible does not address retirement directly (most people would not live long enough or have the financial means to stop working), Cagle uses general biblical principles for living.  For example, we should save, but if we are saving so much and working such long hours that we have no desire or time to be generous, we have turned a positive into a negative.  In the same way, our finances may allow us to retire from our job, but we should never retire from the vocations God has given us — within our families, communities and churches.  Retirement is a time when we can plan to do the work we choose to do for God’s Kingdom, rather than the work we must do to earn a living.

The book contains some history of how modern retirement evolved, a case study following a young couple from marriage to retirement age, and a number of sections on saving, investing and other financial issues. Cagle makes it clear that he is not a financial planning professional, and any advice given should not replace consulting such a person.  He is:

“just a fairly average, financially conservative guy who wants to steward my God-given resources well.”

That being said, I had my husband (who was a banker and stockbroker in another life) review the material, and he found it basic and sound.

There is also some discussion about preparing a will, life insurance, and dealing with medical decisions and issues.

Most of the advice in this book is too late for me, as I am already retired.  It should be read by young people, well before they approach retirement.  It could be a great book to read, discuss or plan a class around for young marrieds in the church.

VERDICT:  4 stars– This book was not particularly helpful to me, but would be a good resource for younger people

If you would like to purchase this book, follow the link below:

https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/reimagine-retirement-P005814391

The Lutheran Ladies received a free copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review – Disclaimer pursuant to FTC 16 CFR Part 255

 

 

four gifts by April Yamasaki–Book Review

I chose this book from the “newly purchased” list on the local library’s website, and frankly, I wasn’t sure it would be worthwhile.  However, you may remember a previous post when I told you that God is my bibliotherapist (The Art of Mindful Reading by Ella Berthoud– Book Review) and God was certainly at work with my seemingly random choice, because this book on self-care had a lot to do with REST — our theme this month.

Sometimes we think of self-care as selfish, but it is actually a form of stewardship.  God gave us bodies, minds, feelings and spirits. Part of our job, as Christians, is to care for ourselves, not selfishly, but in a way that allows us to function well, use our particular gifts wisely, and care for others.  Jesus himself set aside times for rest.  Of course, that did not mean setting rigid boundaries — he was willing to respond with compassion when a need presented itself.  Good self-care means following His example of being both balanced and flexible.

Author April Yamasaki is a pastor, speaker and writer on spiritual growth.  Her book is divided into four sections:  Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength.  In each section she intersperses questions for reflection with the text, and each section ends with suggestions for implementing healthy rest and self-care into daily life.

I found this book to be both sensible and biblically sound.  In this busy, technological age we can all use guidance in keeping a balancing of rest with productivity.

“In returning and rest, you will be saved;  in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”  Isaiah 30:15

VERDICT:  5 stars.  Well worth reading

 

Fanning the Flame #18 Things Are Changing

We had a congregational meeting last Sunday, and there was a difficult discussion.  Over the course of many years, people have designated part of their contribution to benevolence;  instead of giving this money away, it has been used as a cushion to help pay the daily expenses of running the church.  Worse than that, it became a crutch to allow ourselves deny the ugly truth that we’re not giving enough to sustain God’s church.  We need to repent and rectify this situation.

Fortunately we do now recognize this sin, and the council has a plan to wipe out our debt and give us a clean slate( a positive step).  This leaves us with the problem — how do we go forward without falling back into the same pattern?  We’d all like to pin the blame and the responsibility to fix the issue on somebody else.  If only EVERYONE would give more.  If only SOMEBODY would plan more fundraisers– etc., etc..

Then Beth Ann made a very good point.  FIRST we need to PRAY.  I have been at St. Paul’s for over thirteen years now, and I have never heard anyone say this in the midst of a meeting before.  This is a change.  I only wish we had taken it further and PRAYED right then and there.  It might have changed the whole tone of the meeting.  This morning God has put another conviction about this on my heart — we each need to pray, not for God to provide a miracle, or to make everyone else do the right thing;  we need to pray that God would show each one of us what we can do to nourish and sustain God’s church right here where we are.  I need to search my heart to see what God would have me do. I need to become a better steward, not just of my money, but of my spiritual gifts and my time.  I need to be like the little boy who trusted Christ with his few loaves and fishes.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  1 Timothy 2:15

I can’t change anyone else, but I can change myself.  I don’t want to stand before God, ashamed because I gave Him only the leftovers of my life.  I want to hear the words,

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! Matthew 25:23

I’m convinced we’re changing and moving in the right direction.  This is a sign that God is at work.  My prayer is that He will continue to change us by first changing me.  Pray with me, friends and readers … I’ll keep you posted!

 

 

 

Corrie Ten Boom on How to Travel Light

Good Stewards are Content

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content.”  Philippians 4:11

Part of good stewardship is being contented.  After all, how can we share what we have, if we’re convinced it isn’t enough?  Everything about our society seems based on consumerism and having more, more, more.  Ads constantly barrage us with the latest or better new product we need to purchase.  The lifestyle of a family on the average television show would require an income of $200,000.  Styles change quickly so we feel compelled to add to or change our wardrobe.  Phones and other technology are constantly updated, so that older models become “obsolete.” We’re always sure we’ll be satisfied when we get one more raise, the next new car, the slightly bigger house, and so on.  Unfortunately as sinful humans, that little bit more doesn’t satisfy, it just whets our desire for the next thing.  We never reach the point of being content, so we’re never thankful for what God has given us, and we’re never willing to be generous with what we have.  We don’t have time to serve others, because we’re so busy chasing after the latest and greatest toy on our list.  According to the apostle Paul, this kind of discontent leads to disaster.

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into this world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  It is through this craving that some have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”  1 Timothy 6:4-10

If you’re an older person, you’ve seen that money, jobs, hobbies, trips and all the fancy trappings we try to surround ourselves with don’t last.  When we’re gone, people won’t remember what we had, they’ll remember what we did with what we had. Did you live a life of integrity?  Did you serve God?  Did you love others?  Those are the things that will be important.  So practice the art of contentment — it’s one of the keys to good stewardship.

Martin Luther on Traveling Lightly

“I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.”

 

Stewards of Gods’ Grace

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of Gods’ varied grace….” 1 Peter 4:10

My devotional reading today was on the book of Jonah, and I’m actually going to be teaching about that book in adult Sunday School in a few weeks … funny how God sends us these little messages, isn’t it?  He knows just what we need at any given time.  Anyway, the gist of the article was grace.  God extended His grace to Jonah, even though he was a sulky and reluctant prophet.  He saved him from the belly of the whale, he sent a plant to shade him … Jonah didn’t deserve those things.  He tried to run from his calling.  He wasn’t very appreciative of Gods’ care.  The very worst thing about Jonah — although he accepted Gods’ grace, he was angry when God extended that same grace to the people Jonah hated, the Assyrians.

I think there’s a lesson in this.  In the verse above, Peter calls us stewards of Gods’ grace.  We’ve all received gifts.  I know that I have certain talents, and I also have my health, a good bit of free time as a retiree, an adequate income.  Since all these are gifts of Gods’ grace in my life, I need to share them willingly when I see a need.  In fact, I should be excited when I can spread some of Gods’ grace around.  Most of all, I should be excited to share the good news of the sacrifice of Christ for our sins.  That’s truly amazing grace.

Unfortunately, I’m often like Jonah.  I may be willing to share with those I love, or those I find deserving.  I’m less willing to share with people I don’t know, don’t like or find unworthy in some way.  Why should I serve them?  They don’t deserve it and may not appreciate it.  However, here’s the thing — it’s only grace because we don’t deserve it.  If we could earn grace, we wouldn’t need God (or anyone else) to give it to us.

So today, let’s spread some grace around:  lend a hand; forgive; bake some cupcakes for your neighbor; give up your place in line.  You need it;  I need it;  everyone needs it, whether they know it or not.

Good Stewards Travel Light

A friend at church loaned me a book I’ve been using recently for my morning devotional time.  It’s called “Lessons I Learned in the Light” by Jennifer Rothschild.  This morning’s chapter was titled “Carry No Baggage” and it got me thinking about how as good stewards, we need to travel light.  We can’t take care of God’s stuff if we’re too worried about our own stuff.  Maybe you’re thinking about now, didn’t the Lutheran Ladies say it’s all God’s stuff?  Well, here’s the thing …all the good things are God’s, but there are still plenty of bad things that belong to us alone.  They start with that little word SIN.  Do you notice what’s in the middle of the word sin?  The letter “I.”  Sin happens when we’re turned into ourselves, when life becomes all about me, me, me.

What baggage are you carrying around?  It might be selfishness (that’s a big one for me), failure to forgive, anger, destructive habits you don’t want to give up, pride, lack of trust  and more.  All these things weigh us down and keep us from focusing on God, the good gifts He gives, and the people He wants us to serve.

Thankfully there’s a simple way to get rid of that excess cargo.  Confess.  Let God take care of your stuff, and then you’ll be free to take care of His.  We get to do this every Sunday in our worship service, not as a work of our own, but as a reminder that God has already forgiven all our sins for the sake of His son, Jesus.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Confess so you can focus on the good things of God.  Travel light.

 

Stewardship of Time

As many readers know, I was once an English major, and I still love poetry.   This poem by Mary Oliver, a contemporary poet,  expresses, for me, how we should be good stewards of our time.  It’s from the book, “Devotions.”

The Gift

Be still, my soul, and steadfast.

Earth and heaven both are still watching

though time is draining from the clock,

and your walk, that was confident and quick

has become slow.

 

So, be slow, if you must, but let

the heart still play its true part.

Love still as once you loved, deeply

and without patience.  Let God and the world

know you are grateful

That the gift has been given.

Back to the Beginning

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Back at the beginning of the month, I wrote about how Beth Ann called stewardship “taking care of Gods’ stuff” and that everything is really Gods’ stuff.  As we’ve explored the topic we’ve talked about all sorts of things — our gifts, our pain, our reading, our singing, our words,  the roles we play in the family and in life.  I’ve come to see that God not only made  us,  he also made everything we experience in this life.  He planned it all so that we would have the talents, tools and opportunity to do specific tasks for Him.

When something we don’t understand or don’t like comes our way, instead of whining or becoming bitter, we should be thinking, “how can I use this for God?”  Instead of worrying about “how am I going to get through this situation”  we should be saying, “what does God want me to learn?”  Instead of turning our back on an uncongenial person, we should be considering, “how can I help this child of God He has sent to me?”

I don’t know about you, but for me this is a hard teaching.  I’d like to think the Christian life is about fulfilling my purpose,  but guess what?  That’s all wrong. It’s about fulfilling God’s purposes–I’m just the tool.  I’m not the first person to realize this (not a surprise).  I’m going to close with a quote from John Henry Newman, which sums it all up perfectly:

“God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.

He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.

I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place,
while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”

― John Henry Newman