Reluctant Retiree

When I was growing up there was no such thing as distance learning or e-learning. It was impossible as personal computing devices had not been invented yet. However, if distance learning had been available, I am sure that I would have loved it. Distance learning is great for us introverts who love to work independently and quickly.

When our youngest son was in middle school, we decided to home school him. He was the perfect candidate for this, as he was self-motivated and loved to work independently. We would give him a week’s worth of assignments on Monday. By Wednesday he had completed all the assignments. Then he could work on other school projects or activities.

God has a home school program that is not distance learning. In fact God’s home school is very hands-on and personal. If you allow Him, He will be your personal instructor in life and all truth. The course objectives are listed, in part, in Proverbs 1:2-5; “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth-let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understand obtain guidance.”

How can we enroll in these classes? First we must have a right relationship with God based on faith in Jesus Christ. Then we must commit our ways unto Him. Finally we must devote ourselves to the teaching He provides. Proverbs 1:7 says it this way, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. ” Sign up today for God’s home school.

Normally I am a fairly confident fellow. I don’t think that I am smug or arrogant, although in some situations it may appear so. It is just that at age 71, I have pretty much figured out what I can and can’t do. I stay away from the things that I know I can’t do and gravitate toward the things I can. Often I am wrong about these assessments, however, and find that I can’t do what I thought that I could do.

One area that I am not at all confident in is interpersonal relationships. As an introvert I rarely know how to approach another person. This has gotten so bad that my wife makes and receives almost all phone calls in our household. Often I will just stay off to the side in gatherings. I will talk to people who approach me, but will rarely initiate a conversation.

Fortunately, God has given me a promise for approaching Him. Ephesians 3:11-12 says, “This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” So because I have faith in Jesus, He says that I can come to Him in boldness and confidence. In fact, it has always been His purpose for me to have this type of access to Him. He has the same purpose for you. So won’t you come to Him in faith?

Sometimes I feel like I am held together by bailing wire and duct tape. As I have gotten older, doctors have ordered more and more equipment for me to use. First, it was glasses, which have been replaced over time with stronger and stronger prescriptions. Then came hearing aids, which also have been adjusted. After that I needed a CPAP machine. And finally, a heart monitor was implanted in my chest. I wonder what could be next.

All these devices require special handling and continual care. All that maintenance demands time and attention, time and attention that I could spend on more pleasant and productive experiences.

All these things makes me wonder how I function at all.The world around me also feels like it is falling apart, as I suspect that it feels the same for you as well. What exactly is keeping this world from imploding. Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ” From the context of these verses, it is understood that the “him” referred to here is Jesus. It is Jesus who created all things. And it is Jesus who holds all things together. We can trust Him to hold everything in the world together, because His power is great and His love for us is abundant. And we can trust Him to hold us together.

Who is the most important person who thinks about you often? I am talking about someone who knows you personally and would be inclined to think of you often. So that rules out political leaders. While they may think about their constituents, they probably don’t know your name. You may have a close relative who has an important position or some degree of fame, who thinks about you from time to time.

If you are like me, nobody of real importance thinks about me.I am not known in high society or distinguished circles. That is, except in heaven. You see, God knows my name. The Bible says that God has my name printed on the palm of his hand. My name is written in His book of life. Luke 10:20 says, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” If I am to be known anywhere, I am glad that it is in heaven.

Your name can be recorded in heaven also. You see, it is not on the basis of good works that our names are thus recorded. It is solely based on God’s sacrifice of His own Son and our act of obedient belief in Jesus. Won’t you give your life to Jesus today and receive the free gift of salvation?

My wife and I spent the last two days in Chicago. I love the city.  And, of course, I love the Cubs. I love the lakeside and the riverside. Chicago has its share of problems, but there is also a lot to enjoy.

Getting around Chicago can be difficult. We’ve been there several times, so we are somewhat familiar with its layout. Newcomers must rely on Maps and road signs, or the kindness of strangers. Once you get the hang of it, you can get around quite easily.

Don’t you wish that we could have road signs for life. It would be great have road sign pop up whenever we needed to make a life decision. Once we got the hang of it, gliding through life would be easy.

Unfortunately, those road signs do not exist in the world. However, God does want to show us the way we should live. He gave us His Word to lead us in paths of righteous living. For those who have accepted His salvation in Jesus, He has promised His Holy Spirit to direct our way. He gives us another promise in Psalm 143:8 when the Psalmist asks, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” If we ask, God will guide us in His steadfast love and mercy. Once we get the hang of it, we too will grow in steadfast love, mercy and righteous living.

Years ago there was a children’s book titled something along the lines of The Little Train Engine Who Could. That title is probably not correct, but the theme of the story was that the train engine overcame obstacles by believing that he could. He repeated the phrase “I think I can ” until he finally climbed the hill. In America, we often hear testimonials from the same idea. We are taught to believe that if you work hard enough you can do anything you wish. We are told that the American Dream is accomplished solely by hard work.

Those last two statements are not entirely true. For most people, hard work proves to be insufficient in accomplishing their goals. Unforeseen obstacles happen and strength wears out. As much as we want to succeed in our dreams, we often have to settle for less. That is not to say that hard work is not valuable. It most certainly is.

How can we be sure that good and righteous things happen? Romans 9:16 says, “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. ” God in His mercy makes all good and righteous things happen. These good things may not be what we expect, but they will be what we need. They will be better than we could have dreamed and take us further than we could by our own strength.

The sun rose this morning, just like it has since creation. We can count on it because it has been proven to true over a long time.

Jesus rose from the grave 2000 years ago. We believe this truth because it has been proven to be true in history and in the lives of millions of people for a long time. The evidence is overwhelming and available for anyone to search.

Today is Easter, the day when believers remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We shout “Hallelujah! He is risen! He is alive and living in me today!

I Corinthians 15:3-4 says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” Jesus did all this so that you and I could believe and be saved from our sins.

If you were to look in my closet, you would find mostly t-shirts and jeans. When I was working, I had to wear a shirt and tie. But I have always been a casual wear type of guy, much more comfortable in jeans than a suit. I still have a suit, but I don’t know where it is.

One of the perks of retirement is dressing as you wish. I have never been one to seek the fancy things. I don’t care for fancy restaurants. I dislike dressing up for fancy occasions. I don’t want fancy accessories, like expensive watches. Royal weddings turn me off with all the pomp. I just don’t relate to these things.

For those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, God gives us fancy, but meaningful titles and positions. We are children of the one true King, royal ambassadors, and ministers of reconciliation. Because He has bestowed these honors upon us, we are called to live in accordance with these glorious positions.

Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” So even though our titles are lofty, we are called to humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace. Consider these qualities to be your royal uniform. This is the fancy clothing that I can live with and aspire to wear.

As I get older I seem to fall into more routines. I don’t even think about it, they just happen. Some routines are good, as they remind me of things I need to do, like take my medicines. Other routines can get in the way of doing something better or thinking of different ways to do something. Mostly they keep me from being observant and alert to my environment.

One of the most harmful effects of mindless routines is in keeping me from doing new things. I have always been an adventurous person, but without thinking it through I am settling for less. I have lived overseas and traveled to over 50 countries, but I haven’t entertained the idea of going anywhere for quite some time. I like my home routine.

God doesn’t want us stuck in useless routines. He has new and exciting adventures for us. He wants to do new works in and through us. II Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I must point out that for God to do the new works in us, we first have to be in Christ. That involves giving our lives to Jesus. Trust me; you will never regret it.

In one of my previous jobs I had to fly quite frequently. In fact I flew to San Francisco, where we had another office, 27 times one year. On the plus side I did get to fly to Hawaii 11 times in another year. The flying got to be so familiar that I wouldn’t even think about where I was going until I was driving to the airport.

Its funny how we can do something so often that we begin to function by rote memory. The problem with that is we forget to ask “Why” we are doing what we do. Answering this question gives us the motivation we need to do our best and maybe even serve others well.

God answers the “Why” question for us. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ” The first thing to note is that God created us and, in fact, our design is evidence of His good workmanship. Secondly, we were made for good works in Jesus. And thirdly, were created to walk in these good works.

It is obvious that we, therefore, cannot fulfill our purpose without Jesus Christ. Knowing and fulfilling the purpose for which we were created begins with faith in Jesus Christ. Begin the journey of faith and good works today by putting your trust in Jesus.