What To Do After Retirement?

Psalm 121:1-8 KJV; 9th Sunday after Pentecost; What To Do After Retirement?

Mount Up With Wings As Eagles

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40:31 KJV)

I am waiting! Been waiting for awhile! 

This retirement stuff is really for the birds. I have grown weary of doing and accomplishing so little. Granted, as I have grown older, I have also grown a bit slower. But, God must still have a plan. He promises that he has a good plan for those who love him. (Jer 29:11)  I am waiting to have that plan revealed.

I may never run again. But, I would at least like to walk in this world with a purpose. Yes, I can still walk physically. I walk everyday while I pray. But, something is missing without a purpose and a plan; a way, to serve that purpose.

Our ultimate goal, at least mine, is to walk in the presence of God everyday and not just for the days I live in the flesh here on earth; but, for all of eternity. In the meantime though it would be good to be a bit more fruitful.

So, I continue to wait on the Lord to show me the way that he would have me walk. I wait for the day when I will not be weary of the accomplish nothing days. I wait upon the Lord for the days when my strength will be renewed.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Life In Or Outside of Christ

Atlantic Ocean, Flagler Beach, FL

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col 3:8-10 KVJ)

I am beginning to get use to retirement. I am enjoying the lack of drama that is usually created by anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy communication of the mouth. Life is just so much more pleasant and peaceful without these things.

You can live life in the old way or you can live in a new way. Try living in the new life that has been given you through Jesus Christ our Lord. That new life; each day and every new day, is a gift from God. Live it! Live life as a new person in Christ! 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Josh 24:15)

God's Peace - Pr. J

So Very Young To Die!

Display at Marine Corps National Museum - Vietnam

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 KJV)

I am attempting to enjoy life in retirement. Yesterday, my husband and I spent over four hours looking at displays at the National Marine Corps Museum in Quanitco. The history displayed begins in 1775. There were displays that I had to walk by real quick lest I start crying. 

Although; Howard was very young when he joined the Marine Corps, as a retired person it is difficult when I see these young Marines walking around knowing the training they have to go through is so they can put their lives on the line for us and for people all around the world. They look so young! They are very young! Yet, they look so strong and determined. 

The history of this country and the whole world has been so violent. Unfortunately because of the violence and injustice inflicted upon people, armed forces are necessary to protect those who cannot protect themselves. But, how sad it is to know that so many young men and women will not be able to live life because they have to give their lives so other may live. How sad it is that so many have no clue what is being sacrificed so that they can live life.

One day, may we all live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Need A Purpose

 

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thess 3:10 KJV)

I had some really strange dreams last night. I was volunteering to volunteer for many things. I even volunteered to run for public office! Wah! That's not happening! The reality is that yesterday was my last "work" day at Christ Lutheran Church and I am just not used to not working. I like having a purpose for each and every day.

I was also raised to think that we should enjoy working and that stuck with me. My parents had a work ethic that they expected us to grab on to as well. 

I am not quite sure what to do with "retirement." Today, I will be looking at a new lawn mower; working in the garden (the flowers were watered before the sun came up); maybe working on a fence; but, definitely working on cleaning up the sticks in the yard. While I worked, I never really had the time to work in the yard much. It seems that now I may have lots of time! I have always enjoyed it. When I was still a child at home and it came time to mow the lawn, it was a toss up between one of my sisters and myself as to who would get to mow the lawn and who would have to wash the supper dishes. I always begged to do the lawn. In fact, prior to becoming a pastor, I ran my own cleaning and maintenance business. The majority of the business was contract work with local and state governments taking care of parks and cemeteries. I loved mowing and weed eating! I still do.  

I don't know what I'm going to be doing in the future; hopefully, a lot of the time will be spent outdoors. In the end, it is up to God to lead me wherever he wishes and wherever or whatever that is, I will go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sing Unto The Lord

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

                          (Psalm 100:1-4 KJV)

Today I will lead worship at Christ Lutheran for the last time as their pastor. I will be installing their new pastor, John Johnson. I am not really sure how I'm supposed to feel about today. I might feel sad over that fact that I am going into retirement and not seeking another call to another congregation. However, I know that as a servant of God, I will not stop serving Him, with gladness, in any and every way that I am able.

The service today will, hopefully, be full of joy. I will be reminding everyone at Christ Lutheran what God has done for us one last time. This time, I will be proclaiming the Gospel in a little different way than I have normally proclaimed it. I will be making a joyful noise. Instead of speaking; I will be singing. For those who have heard me sing, you know that I am not a great singer. I've been told by more than one person that I sing like a man. The electric piano has to go down an octave or two for my voice. Good or bad; it will be a joyful noise unto the Lord. 

Sing unto the Lord a joyful song; giving Him thanks for all that He has done!

God's Peace - Pr. J